MASTER 
NEGATIVE 

NO.  95-82507 


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Author: 


Fire  Association  of 
Philadelphia 

Title: 

The  Fire  Association  of 
Philadelphia 

piOQQ' 

[Philadelphia] 

Date: 

[1917] 


MASTER    NEGATIVE   # 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES 
PRESERVATION  DIVISION 

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ORIGINAL  MATERIAL  AS  FILMED  -    EXISTING  BIBLIOGRAPHIC  RECORD 


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Fire  association  of  Philadelphia. 

The  Fii'o  association  of  Philadelphia;  a  short  account 
of  the  origin  and  development  of  fire  insurance  in  Phil- 
adelphia. [Philadelphia,  Priv.  print,  for  the  Fire  asso- 
ciation of  Philadelphia,  ^^lOlTj 

vii,  ill,  39  p.  incl.  front.,  illus.,  facsims.    23i"". 

"Compiled,  designed,  and  printed  by  direction  of  Walton  advertising 
&  printing  co.,  Boston,  Mass." 


1.  Insurance,  Fire — Philadelphia.- 


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THE   FIRE   ASSOCIATION   BUILDING 
Comer  of  Fourth  and  Walnut  Streets 


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THE 

FIRE    ASSOCIATION 

OF 

PHILADELPHIA 


•y 


A  SHORT  ACCOUNT 

OF  THE  ORIGIN  AND  DEVELOPMENT 

OF  FIRE  INSURANCE 

IN 

PHILADELPHIA 


<  > 


MM 


^"Stcs. 


Privately  Printed  for 
AND  Copyrighted  1917  by 

THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


The  pictures  on  pages 

V  and  22  are  from  rare  old 

prints;  the  head-band  on  page  i 

is  a  reproduction  of  Peter  Cooper's 

painting  of  EhiUd^lpJ?i%,  iji  t^e  collection 

of  the  Libiiiy  iC(?nipJni  of  fPhila^et^i^  the 

picture* on*  page'  1*8  Is  TroM -'tKft* coifec- 

tioi\  of '  ,-jSaTp8ptj»r*!  •¥^^^''  ^^  ^ 

otherf  pfcjttireV  ^re:frpm  ithe:  •    : 

collection  of  'the  Fire  *    •  •  - 

•.    •   .Association,*.    . 


Compiled,  designed,  and  printed  by  direction  of 

Walton  Advertising  &•  Printing  Co. 

Boston,  Mass. 


INTRODUCTION 


THE  ORIGIN  OF  FIRE   INSURANCE  AS  A   BUSINESS 


HIS  little  book  is  oflPered  by  the  Fire  Association  of  Phila- 
delphia in  the  hope  that  its  readers  may.  glean  from  it  many 
facts  relative  to  the  history  of  the  Association,  as  well  as 
some    information   concerning   the   development  of  under- 


writing in  both  the  Old  and  the  New  World.  Philadelphia  has  taken 
no  small  part  in  the  events  which  have  helped  to  make  this  history, 
for  the  city  has  seen  the  beginning  of  underwriting  in  America,  and 
its  growth  from  small  to  great  proportions.  Marine  insurance  was 
first  undertaken,  and  to  this  were  added  fire  and  eventually  life  risks, 
while  the  present  century  has  seen  the  entire  insurance  world  advanc- 
ing to  meet  practically  every  demand  made  by  the  public.  This  same 
public,  appreciating  the  benefits  of  insurance,  is  fully  awake  to  the 
fact  that  its  history  is  an  interesting  subject  of  study.  The  constant 
application  at  the  public  libraries  of  the  large  cities  for  the  history  of 
insurance  itself  and  the  story  of  the  origin  and  development  of  the 
great  insurance  companies  is  a  proof  of  this. 

"Have  you  heard  the  story  of  the  disagreements  which  arose  between  Quarrel 
the  Philadelphia  Contributionship,  familiarly  known  as  the  Hand  in  bettiren  the 
Hand,  and  the  Mutual  Assurance  Company,  known  as  the  Green  ^^^^  *^^^ 
Tree?"  is  not  an  unusual  question  asked  of  the  stranger  in  Philadel-  ^^^  Creen 
phia.     And,  if  the  stranger  has  not  heard  this  story,  it  is  well  worth  y^^^^ 
his  while  to  listen  to  it,  for  it  concerns  a  chapter  of  early  underwriting 
history  in  America.     The  old  Hand  in  Hand  refused  to  insure  houses 
which  had  trees  planted  near  them;  and  this  decision  caused  consider- 
able complaint  among  householders,  who  were  loath  to  cut  down  the 
trees  and  yet  wished  their  property  protected  against  loss  by  fire. 
The  fire-mark  of  the  Hand  in  Hand  is  a  familiar  one  to  Philadelphians; 


INTRODUCTION 


Lombards 
in  London 
first  noted 
under- 
writers 


Beginning 
of  fire  in- 
surance, 
Nicholas 
Barbon, 
other  early 
agents,  and 
Lloyd^s 
famous 
Coffee-house 


Author  of 
*'  Robinson 
Crusoe'''' 
plans  in- 
surance 
companies 


and,  when  the  company  popularly  called  the  Green  Tree  came  into 
existence,  its  fire-mark  bore  the  emblem  signified  by  its  name,  and  it 
agreed  to  insure  houses  about  which  trees  were  planted.  A  rivalry 
arose  between  the  two  companies,  and  the  disagreements  which 
ensued  may  have  been  kept  up  until  the  famous  tree  clause  was  taken 
from  the  charter  of  the  pioneer  company. 

These  early  American  insurance  companies  had  as  their  models 
the  London  organizations  of  the  day,  and  the  London  companies 
in  their  turn  benefited  by  the  experience  which  their  predecessors 
had  gained  from  the  time  of  the  Hebrew  statutes.  Much  credit  is 
due  to  the  Lombards,  noted  money-lenders  of  Europe,  who  in  the 
thirteenth  century  went  exclusively  into  underwriting  not  only  in 
London,  but  throughout  Europe.  Though  the  business  of  marine 
insurance  was  carried  on  extensively  in  England,  it  was  some 
years  before  it  was  made  a  subject  of  legislation  in  Parliament; 
and  the  preamble  to  the  law  passed  by  Parliament  in  1601  contains 
the  interesting  statement  that  insurance  had  been  a  custom  "tyme 
out  of  mynde." 

Fire  insurance  as  a  business  had  its  beginning  in  1667,  after  the 
Great  Fire  of  London,  and  was  carried  on  in  response  to  the  needs  of 
those  who  had  suffered  from  losses  in  the  conflagration.  Nicholas 
Barbon  carried  on  the  business,  and  confined  his  activities  to  the  in- 
surance of  buildings,  risks  on  merchandise  not  being  taken  until  1706, 
when  Charles  Povey  entered  this  field.  Shortly  before  Povey's 
venture  the  Friendly  Society— the  first  joint-stock  insurance  organi- 
zation—was founded.  The  term  "  underwriting "  originated  in  London 
at  Lloyd's  famous  Coffee-house,  the  rendezvous  of  ship-owners  and 
trading  merchants,  where  it  was  the  custom  to  record  the  value  of 
cargoes  and  for  a  consideration  to  guarantee  the  owners  protection 
from  the  perils  of  the  deep.  Such  men  wrote  their  names  and  the 
amounts  assumed  under  the  records  of  the  cargo  they  insured,  and 
"underwriting"  came  to  be  synonymous  with  insurance.  Lloyd's  is 
now  known  as  Underwriters  at  Lloyd's. 

Daniel  Defoe,  best  known  as  the  author  of  *' Robinson  Crusoe," 
may  have  been  responsible  for  the  establishment  of  many  of  the  early 
insurance  companies  in  London.  In  his  "Essay  on  Projects,"  pub- 
lished in  1696,  Defoe  sets  forth  a  plan  for  the  promotion  of  societies 
"formed  by  mutual  assurance  for  the  relief  of  the  members  in  seasons 
of  distress";  and  he  proposes  one  for  "the  support  of  destitute 
widows,"  and  another  "for  the  assistance  of  seamen."  Defoe's  idea 
was  extensively  carried  out,  and  many  institutions  with  varied  benefi- 
cent ideas  were  established.  It  was  not,  however,  until  nearly  a 
century  later  (in  1793)  that  the  Friendly  Societies  received  the  sanction 
of  Parliament.  More  than  fifty  years  before  the  English  Parliament 
took  this  action,  the  American  insurance  companies  were  flourishing. 
Speaking  of  their  later  progress,  Cornelius  Walford,  of  London,  one 
of  the  most  eminent  writers  on  insurance,  said:  "Our  American 
cousins  are  already  wresting  the  palm  of  progress  from  our  grasp. 
They  have  gone  ahead  with  it  in  a  manner  far  outstripping  all  former 
experience." 


INTRODUCTION 


Not  least  among  these  old  companies  was  the  Fire  Association  of   The  Fire 
Philadelphia,  organized  and  carried  on  by  the  early  volunteer  fire  Association 
companies,  which  continued  their  interest  in  it  up  to  the  time  of  the  0/  Phila- 
establishment  of  a  paid  fire  department.     With  the  publication  of  this  delphia 
little  book  the  Fire  Association  passes  its  century  mark.     The  Associa- 
tion desires  to  acknowledge  the  many  courtesies  that  have  been  ex- 
tended in  the  preparation  of  its  history.     Officers  and  employees  of 
the  company  have  taken  a  most  cordial  interest  in  the  matter,  and 
have  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  historian  the  minute-books  of  the 
company,    various    early   records,    manuscripts,    and    other   data    of 
interest  in  the  preparation  of  this  book.     The  Fire  Association  is  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Joseph  H.  Mercer,  who  located  the  houses  of  Samuel 
Bleight  and  Caleb  Carmalt,  and  to  Mr.  George  Maurice  Abbott  for 
the  privilege  of  reproducing  Peter  Cooper's  picture  of  Philadelphia  in 
1720. 


VI 


Vll 


THE 

FIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF  PHILADELPHIA 

PHILADELPHIA,    THE    PIONEER    OF    AMERICAN 

INSURANCE 

INSURANCE  in  America  was  instituted  two  hundred  years  ago. 
The   scene   of    its   origin  was  High   Street,   Philadelphia,    and 
John  Copson  was  the  underwriter.     Less  than  a  decade  later — 
1736  is  the  exact  date — proceedings  arose  which  eventually  led 
to  the  formation  of  the  Fire  Association.     A  century  (less  one  year) 
after  John   Copson  wrote  his  first   policy  the  Fire  Association  was 
incorporated. 

Philadelphia  occupies  a  unique  place  in  the  history  of  American 
insurance.  Here,  in  response  to  the  needs  of  those  having  marine 
interests,  underwriting  was  not  only  carried  on,  but  the  first  book  in 
this  country  in  which  insurance  is  mentioned  was  written  by  Francis 
Rawle,  published  by  S.  Keimer,  and  printed  by  Benjamin  Franklin. 
This  "Ways  and  Means  for  the  Inhabitants  of  Delaware  to  become 
Rich"  was  the  first  book  printed  by  Franklin,  who  later  became 
identified  with  the  early  insurance  interests  of  the  city.  The  first 
insurance  magazine  published  in  America  was  printed  in  Philadelphia 
by  Captain  Harvey  G.  Tuckett,  and  was  called  Tucketfs  Monthly 
Journal,  Health  and  Friendly  Societies'  Monitor.  The  oldest  fire  in- 
surance company  in  America,  the  Philadelphia  Contributionship,  is 
located  in  Philadelphia;  and  here  also  is  the  first  joint-stock  fire 
insurance  company  in  America,  the  Insurance  Company  of  North 
America,  the  latter  organized  in  the  midst  of  some  of  the  most  stirring 
scenes  this  country  has  ever  known  and  cradled  in  Independence  Hall. 
The  Quaker  City  has  witnessed  the  earliest  efforts  to  establish  not 
only  marine  and  fire  insurance,  but  life  insurance  as  well.  In  Phila- 
delphia was  organized  the  first  life  insurance  company  in  the  United 
States.  This  company,  still  in  existence,  was  organized  and  char- 
tered by  King  George  II,  Jan.  11,  1759,  and  is  the  Presbyterian  Min- 
isters' Fund  for  Life  Insurance.  Impetus  has  also  been  given  here  to 
the  earliest  publications  on  underwriting. 

The  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia  is  the  first  organization  in 
America  that  grew  out  of  the  volunteer  fire  department  of  any  city. 
Begun  with  no  other  capital  than  what  credit  it  could  secure,  and 
re-enforced  by  the  sterling  worth  of  the  men  who  put  energy  into  its 
organization,  it  rapidly  outgrew  the  front  room  of  Caleb  Carmalt's 


Phila- 
delphia's 
prominence 
in  early 
American 
insurance 


Origin  of 
the  Fire 
Association 
0/  Phila- 
delphia 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


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A  PAGE  OF  THE  EARLY  MINUTES  OF  THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION 


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house  on  Third  and  Tammany  (now  Buttonwood)  Streets,  and  took 
quarters  in  four  other  buildings,  which  it  has  occupied  during  the 
hundred  years  of  its  activity  as  an  insurance  company.  In  Carpenters' 
Hall  the  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Association  held  their  meetings  in  the 
twenties.  To-day  the  Association  occupies  its  new  building  on  the 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Walnut  Streets. 

The  Fire  Association  began  underwriting  at  an  interesting  period  in 
American  history.  James  Monroe  was  President  of  the  United  States 
at  the  time  of  the  first  activities  of  the  Association  as  an  insurance 
company  (in  1817).  Philadelphia  at  this  period  was  by  the  fastest 
coaches  a  two  days'  journey  from  New  York.  The  population  of 
Philadelphia  in  that  year  was  114,410  persons.  No  telephone  or 
telegraph  wires  spanned  the  country.  Weaving  was  done  by  hand. 
Books  were  scarce.  On  the  front  page  of  PoulsorCs  American  Daily 
Advertiser,  dated  Wednesday  morning,  February  5,  18 17,  containing 
an  announcement  of  a  meeting  of  the  presidents  of  the  different 
engine  companies  of  Philadelphia  to  consider  the  formation  of  the 
Fire  Association,  one  Christian  Stauffer  offered  a  reward  of  fifty 
dollars  for  the  return  of  "a  Mulatto  Boy  named  Harry,  supposed  to 
be  about  five  feet  two  inches  high,  slender  made,  sharp  face  and  nose, 
large  feet,  straight  hair,  pleasant  countenance,  and  smiles  when  spoken 
to.  Had  on,  when  he  went  away,  an  old  grey  coat  considerably  patched, 
a  waistcoat  and  pantaloons  of  grey  lindsey,  a  home  made  flannel  under 
roundabout  and  a  red  cape,  a  high  crown'd  wool  hat  nearly  new,  black 
woolen  stockings  and  coarse  patent  shoes — in  his  roundabout  or  waist- 
coat, not  recollected  which,  there  is  an  inside  pocket." 

The  anti-slavery  movement  had  just  begun.  Abraham  Lincoln 
was  eight  years  old.  Through  the  length  and  breadth  of  America 
the  time  was  called  "the  era  of  good  feeling,"  and  during  this  era  the 
Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia  issued  its  first  policy. 

THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF  PHILADELPHIA  A  HUNDRED 
YEARS  AGO 

Eleven  engine  and  five  hose  companies  joined  the  Fire  Association 
when  it  was  organized  in  181 7.  As  early  as  1736  a  movement  was 
started  by  some  of  the  volunteer  companies  to  form  a  similar  organi- 
zation, and  from  that  year  until  1799  conventions  were  held  by  dele- 
gates from  these  companies.  Though  these  meetings  planted  valuable 
seeds  in  the  minds  of  those  who  attended  them,  no  fruit  of  any  in- 
dividual or  united  efforts  was  borne  until  1799,  when  the  Resolution 
Fire  Company  suggested  that  a  Fire  Association  be  formed,  and  that 
the  duties  of  this  organization  be  to  regulate  the  proceedings  at  fires. 
Up  to  1803  the  new  association  devoted  itself  to  taking  care  of  furni- 
ture and  goods  at  fires,  and  two  regulators  sent  by  it  located  pumps 
and  formed  lines  to  convey  buckets  to  the  engines.  It  also  assigned 
the  fire-engines  places  where  they  might  operate  most  advantageously. 
Serious  differences  arose  between  the  firemen  and  hosemen,  and  after 
the  formation  of  the  Philadelphia  Hose  Company  the  Fire  Association 
was  practically  abandoned,  and  a  new  organization  formed  in  1804, 


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I 


INTENTIONAL  SECOND  EXPOSURE 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

house  on  Third  and  Tammany  (now  Buttonwood)  Streets,  and  took 
quarters  in  four  other  buildings,  which  it  has  occupied  during  the 
hundred  years  of  its  activity  as  an  insurance  company.  In  Carpenters' 
Hall  the  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Association  held  their  meetings  in  the 
twenties.  To-day  the  Association  occupies  its  new  building  on  the 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Walnut  Streets. 

The  Fire  Association  began  underwriting  at  an  interesting  period  in 
American  history.  James  Monroe  was  President  of  the  United  States 
at  the  time  of  the  first  activities  of  the  Association  as  an  insurance 
company  (in  1817).  Philadelphia  at  this  period  was  by  the  fastest 
coaches  a  two  days'  journey  from  New  York.  The  population  of 
Philadelphia  in  that  year  was  114,410  persons.  No  telephone  or 
telegraph  wires  spanned  the  country.  Weaving  was  done  by  hand. 
Books  were  scarce.  On  the  front  page  of  PoulsorCs  American  Daily 
Advertiser,  dated  Wednesday  morning,  February  5,  18 17,  containing 
an  announcement  of  a  meeting  of  the  presidents  of  the  different 
engine  companies  of  Philadelphia  to  consider  the  formation  of  the 
Fire  Association,  one  Christian  StauflFer  offered  a  reward  of  fifty 
dollars  for  the  return  of  "a  Mulatto  Boy  named  Harry,  supposed  to 
be  about  five  feet  two  inches  high,  slender  made,  sharp  face  and  nose, 
large  feet,  straight  hair,  pleasant  countenance,  and  smiles  when  spoken 
to.  Had  on,  when  he  went  away,  an  old  grey  coat  considerably  patched, 
a  waistcoat  and  pantaloons  of  grey  lindsey,  a  home  made  flannel  under 
roundabout  and  a  red  cape,  a  high  crown'd  wool  hat  nearly  new,  black 
woolen  stockings  and  coarse  patent  shoes — in  his  roundabout  or  waist- 
coat, not  recollected  which,  there  is  an  inside  pocket." 

The  anti-slavery  movement  had  just  begun.  Abraham  Lincoln 
was  eight  years  old.  Through  the  length  and  breadth  of  America 
the  time  was  called  "the  era  of  good  feeling,"  and  during  this  era  the 
Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia  issued  its  first  policy. 

THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF  PHILADELPHIA  A  HUNDRED 
YEARS  AGO 

Eleven  engine  and  five  hose  companies  joined  the  Fire  Association 
when  it  was  organized  in  181 7.  As  early  as  1736  a  movement  was 
started  by  some  of  the  volunteer  companies  to  form  a  similar  organi- 
zation, and  from  that  year  until  1799  conventions  were  held  by  dele- 
gates from  these  companies.  Though  these  meetings  planted  valuable 
seeds  in  the  minds  of  those  who  attended  them,  no  fruit  of  any  in- 
dividual or  united  efforts  was  borne  until  1799,  when  the  Resolution 
Fire  Company  suggested  that  a  Fire  Association  be  formed,  and  that 
the  duties  of  this  organization  be  to  regulate  the  proceedings  at  fires. 
Up  to  1803  the  new  association  devoted  itself  to  taking  care  of  furni- 
ture and  goods  at  fires,  and  two  regulators  sent  by  it  located  pumps 
and  formed  lines  to  convey  buckets  to  the  engines.  It  also  assigned 
the  fire-engines  places  where  they  might  operate  most  advantageously. 
Serious  differences  arose  between  the  firemen  and  hosemen,  and  after 
the  formation  of  the  Philadelphia  Hose  Company  the  Fire  Association 
was  practically  abandoned,  and  a  new  organization  formed  in  1804, 


Conditions 
when  the 
Fire 

Association 
began  busi- 
ness 


Anti- 
slavery 
movement 
begun 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

called  the  "Fire  Hose  Association."  This  organization,  through 
many  and  varied  vicissitudes,  managed  to  struggle  along  until  1817, 
when  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia  was  formed.  The  capacity 
in  which  the  new  association  was  to  serve  differed  radically  from  that 
of  its  predecessors,  though  it  must  be  admitted  that  the  former  fire 
associations  contributed  much  to  the  new.  They  made  a  path  for 
their  successor  to  tread,  and  placed  useful  danger  signals  along  the 
way.  The  Fire  Association  began  with  no  capital,  though  the  property 
of  the  associated  fire  companies  was  pledged  for  the  acts  of  thirteen 
trustees  "for  loss  in  excess  of  the  capital  stock  of  the  association  made 
the  subject  of  special  exemption."  A  provision  was  made  that  no 
dividends  be  paid  to  the  associated  companies  until  the  capital  stock 
amounted  to  $15,000.  Members  of  the  Association  had  the  privilege 
of  having  their  property  insured  at  5  per  cent,  less  than  any  one  else. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Association  was  held  on  Monday,  September  Ftrsi 
17    18 1 7  at  the  house  of  Caleb  Carmalt,  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  mj^ting  oj 
Tammany  Streets.     The  house  still  stands,  though  the  location  is  'j^^^^;^^  -^^ 
now  known  as  Third  and  Buttonwood  Streets.     At  this  first  meet-  ^'' 
ing  were   represented  the  Delaware,  United  States,  Hand  in  Hand, 
Diligent,  and  Relief  Fire  Companies.     Michael  Fox,  president  of  the 
Diligent  Engine  Company,  was  elected  chairman;    Caleb  Carmalt, 
secretary;    and  John  Ogden,  surveyor.     There  may  have  been  out- 
lined at  this  meeting  some  of  the  objects  of  the  Fire  Association,  and 
one  of  these  objects  proved  to  be  the  creating  of  a  good-fellowship 
between  the  fire  companies,  composed  entirely  of  volunteer  firemen. 
Later,  when  the  insurance  idea  was  presented  to  the  thirteen  trustees, 
it  was  voted  that,  since  these  volunteer  fire  companies  were  not  paid, 
whatever  profits  might  arise  from  the  underwriting  of  fire  risks  should 
belong  to  them.     A  fire-mark  was  adopted,  representing  a  fire-plug 
with  a  section  of  hose  attached  to  it,  and  with  the  letters  F.  A.  on 
each  side  of  the  plug.     Let  the  seeker  after  the  quaint  walk  through 
any  part  of  old  Philadelphia  to-day,   and    he  will  see  this  ancient 
fire-mark  on  many  of  the  old  buildings.  ^ 

The  first  policy  was  issued  upon  a  three-story  brick  store  belonging  to  I^irst  policy 
Samuel  Bleight.     Mr.   Bleight,  having  been  granted  "the  privilege  %l^'f]Y 
of  weaving  in  the  cellar,"  paid  a  deposit  of  3^  per  cent.     This  building    'Association 
still  standing,  is  located  at  Frankford  and  Point  Road,  now  Frankford 
Avenue  and   Richmond    Street.     The  following  is  quoted   from   this 
first  policy  issued  by  the  Fire  Association: — 

BY  THE  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF 

PHILADELPHIA  .    _       ^    , 

No.  I.  Perpetual 

This  Policy  Witnesseth  that  Samuel  Bleight  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia  has 
deposited  with  the  Treasurer  of  the  said  Association  the  sum  of  sixty-five  dollars 
as  a  part  of  the  Capital  Stock  agreeably  to  the  said  charter  for  the  Insurance 
from  loss  or  damage  by  Fire  of  Two  Thousand  dollars  on  a  three  story  brick 
store  situated  at  the  corner  oj  Point  and  Frankford  Road  being  26  feet  front  by  40 
feet  deep  narrowing  to  10  feet  6  inches  on  the  back  line  as  per  survey  No.  i,  in 
consideration  whereof  the  capital  stock  of  the  said  Association  shall  be  and 
remain  forever  subject,  and  liable  to  pay,  make  good  and  satisfy  unto  the  said 


I 


-^ 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA     1  THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


insured,  his  heirs,  executors,  administrators,  and  assigns,  all  such  damage  or 
loss,  as  may  at  any  time  happen  by  means  of  fire  to  the  building  hereinbefore 
described,  not  exceeding  the  said  sum  of  Two  Thousand  dollars,  unless  the 
said  Association  shall  within  thirty  days  after  proof  of  such  damage,  if  the  loss 
be  not  total,  give  directions  for  putting  the  said  building  into  as  good  a  state 
of  repair  as  the  same  were  before  injured  by  fire;  and  proceed  therein  with 
reasonable  diligence;  or  shall  within  sixty  days  after  such  proof  pay  for  such 
damage,  according  to  an  estimate  thereof  to  be  made  by  the  arbitrators  mu- 
tually chosen. 

It  is  agreed  and  hereby  declared,  that  the  Trustees  of  the  said  Association 
shall  not  be  made  personally  liable  for  damages  arising  from  this  insurance, 
in  case  the  said  damages,  together  with  those  arising  from  other  insurances, 
effected,  or  to  be  effected  by  the  said  Trustees,  shall  amount  to  more  than  the 
whole  capital  stock  of  the  said  Association,  nor  in  any  case  whatever;  and  such 
personal  liability  is  hereby  expressly  relinquished  by  the  said  Samuel  Bleight 
who  hereby  consents  and  binds  himself  to  look  to  the  said  capital  stock,  and 
to  that  alone  for  his  indemnity  against  any  and  every  loss  which  may  happen 
under  this  Policy;  and  acknowledges  and  admits  that  at  the  time  of  effecting 
this  insurance  there  is  exhibited  to  him  a  semi-annual  statement  of  the  actual 
capital  of  the  said  Association,  in  pursuance  of  and  compliance  with  the  pro- 
visions of  the  said  charter.  Provided  that  if  any  loss  occasioned  by  one  fire 
(or  more  than  one  happening  before  the  extinguishment  of  the  first)  shall 
amount  to  more  than  the  whole  stock  of  the  Association,  in  such  cases  the 
several  sufferers  insured  shall  receive  a  just  and  proportional  dividend  of  the 
said  whole  stock,  according  to  the  sums  by  them  respectively  insured,  and  the 
loss  by  them  sustained.  And  Further,  that  no  distribution  shall  take  place, 
of  the  said  capital  stock,  otherwise  than  is  provided  in  the  said  Charter;  but 
in  case  the  said  Samuel  Bleight  shall  at  any  time  wish  to  withdraw  his  insurance 
from  the  capital  stock,  he  shall  be  permitted  to  do  so,  first  paying  to  the 
Association  a  discount  thereon,  proportioned  to  any  partial  loss  the  said 
Association  may  have  sustained,  and  allowing  a  deduction  of  five  per  cent,  on 
his  deposit  money,  if  the  losses  then  incurred  by  the  Association  be  not  equal 
to  the  whole  capital  stock.  •  And  in  case  the  said  premises  shall  be  sold  and 
conveyed  by  the  insured,  and  this  policy  not  transferred,  the  said  insured,  his 
heirs,  executors,  administrators,  or  assigns,  may  demand  and  receive  the  said 
deposit  money,  the  discount  and  deduction  aforesaid,  being  first  made  thereon, 
if  applied  for  within  ninety  days  after  such  sale  and  conveyance;  otherwise 
the  said  deposit  money  shall  be  sunk  for  the  benefit  of  the  capital  stock,  and 
a  similar  permission  in  like  cases  shall  be  inserted  in  every  Policy  executed  by 
the  said  Association.  And  if  in  the  case  of  a  total  loss  on  this  Policy,  the  said 
Association  shall  rebuild  the  said  building  or  pay  the  money  insured  thereon, 
or  a  dividend  of  the  whole  stock,  where  it  shall  fall  short  of  losses  incurred, — 
and  in  either  of  these  cases,  the  deposit  money  shall  be  retained  by  the  Associa- 
tion, and  this  Policy  shall  be  cancelled. 

Provided  Also,  that  if  the  premises  hereby  insured  are  at  this  time,  or  shall 
hereafter  be  insured  elsewhere,  this  insurance  shall  not  take  effect,  nor  be 
binding  unless  the  said  other  insurance  be  allowed  of,  and  specified  on  the 
back  of  this  Policy;  and  in  such  case  of  such  other  insurance,  without  allowance 
aforesaid,  the  deposit  money  shall  be  deemed  as  sunk  for  the  benefit  of  the 
capital  stock.  And  if  trees  are  planted  before  the  said  building,  after  the 
date  hereof,  and  not  reported  to  the  said  Trustees,  and  such  additional  de- 
posit paid  therefor  as  the  said  Trustees  shall  require  for  the  increase  of  the  risk, 
within  one  year  after  they  are  planted,  this  Policy  shall  henceforth  be  void,  and 
the  deposit  money  sunk  as  aforesaid. 

The  survey  taken  at  the  time  of  this  insurance,  and  signed  by  the  insured, 
shall  be  the  only  evidence  of  the  state  of  such  building — and  if  any  alteration 


be  made  therein,  or  connected  therewith,  aflFecting  the  risk,  the  insured  shall 
forthwith  give  notice  thereof  to  the  said  Association,  and  make  such  additional 
deposit,  as  the  Trustees  may  demand  therefor:  in  failure  thereof  this  Policy 

shall  be  void. 

This  Policy  shall  be  void  if  any  hazardous  business  as  that  of  Oil  and 
Colourmen,  Apothecaries,  Ship-Chandlers,  Tallow-Chandlers,  Stable-keepers, 
Inn-keepers,  Coopers,  Cabinet-makers,  House-Carpenters,  Distillers,  retail 
Grocers,  Brewers,  Bakers,  or  Malt-men,  shall  be  carried  on  in  the  said  premises, 
unless  the  same  is  done  by  permission  of  the  Trustees,  and  specified  on  this 
Policy  in  writing,  and  a  proportional  deposit  paid;  nor  shall  the  Association 
be  held  liable  or  responsible  for  any  damages  which  may  happen  to  the  said 
premises  from  the  storing  of  hemp,  flax,  tallow,  pitch,  tar,  turpentine,  rosin, 
salt-petre,  sulphur,  spirits  of  turpentine,  distilled  spirits,  hay,  straw,  or  fodder 
of  any  kind,  unthrashed  corn,  gun-powder,  or  from  the  breaming  of  ships,  the 
invasion  of  a  foreign  enemy,  or  any  civil  commotion  without  an  additional 
deposit  paid  therefor. 

In  case  of  a  Sale  of  the  premises  insured,  this  Policy  may  be  assigned  to  the 
purchaser,  on  application  to  and  with  the  consent  of  the  Trustees,  within 
twenty  days  thereafter,  and  not  otherwise.  And  in  default  of  making  such 
application,  this  Policy  shall  be  void. 

In  Witness  Whereof,  the  said  Corporation  have  caused  their  Corporate  Seal 
to  be  hereunto  aflixed,  this  23rd  day  of  September,  a.d.  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  eighteen. 

(l-s.)  Attest  Caleb  Carmalt,   Treas, 

The  Fire  Association  extended  its  business  of  underwriting,  and  Fire 
served  as  a  mediator  between  the  engine  and  hose  companies  belonging  Association 
to  it.     These  companies  in  turn  met,  and  chose  two  delegates  from  acts  as 
each  company.     At  a  meeting  of  these  delegates  the  thirteen  trustees  ^[      "^^ 
of  the  Fire  Association  were  chosen.     The  year  after  the  Association  ^^^^^'^j^/ 
issued  its  first  policy,  the  Southwark  Engine  Company  instructed 
their  members  to  take  measures  to  suppress  the  numerous  hose  and 
bucket  companies  that  were  at  that  time  being  formed  in  Philadel- 
phia.    The  Southwark  brought  this  matter  before  the  Association. 
This  company  was  one  of  the  most  vigorous  defenders  of  the  new 
association,  which  may  be  proved  by  example.     The  Fire  Association 
appealed  to  the  legislature  for  a  charter,  and  the  Southwark  was 
interested   in   securing  this.     The   petition,   however,   did   not  meet 
with   favor,   possibly  because   the   representative  from   Philadelphia 
said  that  "the  petitioners  were  men  unworthy  of  public  confidence, 
and  destitute  alike  of  public  spirit  and  mental  worth."     If  a  good- 
sized  tornado  had  suddenly  descended  upon  the  city,  it  would  have 
caused  no  more  commotion  than  did  this  statement  made  by  the 
representative  from   Philadelphia.     Great  excitement   pervaded   the 
meeting  of  the  fire  companies  held  in  the  court-house,  and  a  resolu- 
tion  to  oppose  the   re-election  of  the   "obnoxious  candidate"  was 
passed,  and  also  steps  were  taken  toward  the  formation  of  a  "firemen's 
ticket."     The  companies  were  divided  in  opinion,  and  the  Southwark 
was  reported  to  have  been   represented   at  an  opposition  meeting. 
The  oflftcers  and  members  vigorously  resented  this  report,  said  it  was 
wholly  false,  and  at  once  pledged  themselves  to  the  support  of  the 
Fire  Association.     Stephen  G.  Fotherall  drafted  a  series  of  resolutions, 


"1 


\ 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


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asserting  that,  since  the  obnoxious  candidate  had  "vilified  the  fire- 
men of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,"  the  Southwark  would  oppose  his 
re-election  and  support  the  firemen's  ticket.  The  company  further 
resolved  that  it  would  have  been  "a  confession  that  the  firemen  of 
the  city  are  unworthy  of  public  confidence  and  destitute  of  public 
spirit  and  mental  worth  if  they  silently  brooked  the  insult,  much 
more  if  they  joined  in  the  support  of  the  persons  who  had  indecently 
abused  them."  At  the  succeeding  election  the  firemen's  ticket  was 
victorious,  and  shortly  afterward  the  Southwark  Engine  Company — 
conscious,  possibly,  of  its  good  efforts — ornamented  its  hose-carriage 
by  placing  a  lamp  in  front  of  it. 

The  contemporary  insurance  companies  may  have  feared  the  Fire  O 
Association's  influence  on  their  own  business,  though  they  gave  as 
their  real  cause  of  opposition,  both  before  and  after  the  charter  was 
granted,  the  fact  that  the  new  organization  was  without  cash  capital. 
The  charter,  at  first  refused,  continued  to  be  fought  for  by  the  fire 
companies  belonging  to  the  Association;  and  the  result  was  that  it 
was  finally  signed  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  on  March  27, 
1820,  under  the  corporate  name  of  "The  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion of  Philadelphia."  The  new  corporation,  among  other  powers, 
had  that  of  appointing  oflftcers  who  were  to  give  their  services  free  of 
charge,  insuring  houses  from  loss  or  damage  by  fire,  providing  capital 
stock,  and  granting  the  admission  of  other  companies  into  membership. 
The  legislature  reserved  the  right  to  annul  the  charter  of  the  new  asso- 
ciation. Although  there  was  no  prohibition  in  the  original  charter,  the 
business  was  confined  to  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia. 

The  Fire  Association  had  its  office  but  a  short  time  in  Caleb  Carmalt's  Cro-.vth  or 
house.  As  the  number  of  policies  increased  and  Mr.  Carmalt's  duties 
as  treasurer  became  more  exacting,  the  Association  moved  its  office 
to  Arch  Street,  east  of  Fifth  Street.  Though  the  new  association 
had  no  funds,  so  good  was  the  credit  of  the  men  who  lent  their  names 
to  it  that  ten  risks  were  taken  the  first  year.  In  1819  this  number 
was  increased  to  seventeen,  and  in  1820 — the  year  the  charter  was 
obtained — the  Association  wrote  twenty-nine  policies.  This  was 
done  in  the  midst  of  a  reaction  from  war  stimulus, — a  time  unfavor- 
able to  the  progress  of  fire  insurance.  For  the  next  twelve  or  thirteen 
years  the  progress  of  the  Association  in  underwriting  was  as  follows: 
1821,53;  1822,77;  1823,321;  1824,252;  1825,345;  1826,338;  1827, 
473;    1828,    439;    1829,    501;    1830,481;    1831,502;    1832,583. 

The  total  risks  taken  up  to  1832  were  4,387,  and  the  total  amount  Riyks  taken 
of  losses  paid  by  the  Association  since  its  organization — up  to  1832 —  "/>  f^  '<^'.?-? 
amounted  to  $5,888.15.  From  year  to  year  new  engine  and  hose 
companies  were  admitted  to  membership.  The  first  companies  ad- 
mitted to  the  Association  paid  no  entrance  fee.  Subsequently  a  fee 
was  imposed,  and  increased  as  the  assets  of  the  Association  increased, 
until  the  amount  reached  $7,500.  In  one  case  $10,000  was  offered 
for  admission,  but  this  was  refused  by  the  Board  of  Delegates. 

"I  send  you,"  wrote  a  correspondent  of  the  Daily  Chronicle  to  the   Listonhejirf 
Register  of  Pennsylvania,  October  31,  1829,  "for  publication  a  correct  c^-mpanies 
list  of  the  forty-four  Fire  Companies  in  the  City  and  adjoining  dis-  '"  ^'^^^■' 


the  Fire 
Association 


INTENTIONAL  SECOND  EXPOSURE 


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THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

asserting  that,  since  the  obnoxious  candidate  had  "vilified  the  fire- 
men of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,"  the  Southwark  would  oppose  his 
re-election  and  support  the  firemen's  ticket.  The  company  further 
resolved  that  it  would  have  been  "a  confession  that  the  firemen  of 
the  city  are  unworthy  of  public  confidence  and  destitute  of  public 
spirit  and  mental  worth  if  they  silently  brooked  the  insult,  much 
more  if  they  joined  in  the  support  of  the  persons  who  had  indecently 
abused  them."  At  the  succeeding  election  the  fireman's  ticket  was 
victorious,  and  shortly  afterward  the  Southwark  Engine  Company — 
conscious,  possibly,  of  its  good  efforts — ornamented  its  hose-carriage 
by  placing  a  lamp  in  front  of  it. 

The  contemporary  insurance  companies  may  have  feared  the  Fire 
Association's  influence  on  their  own  business,  though  they  gave  as 
their  real  cause  of  opposition,  both  before  and  after  the  charter  was 
granted,  the  fact  that  the  new  organization  was  without  cash  capital. 
The  charter,  at  first  refused,  continued  to  be  fought  for  by  the  fire 
companies  belonging  to  the  Association;  and  the  result  was  that  it 
was  finally  signed  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  on  March  27, 
1820,  under  the  corporate  name  of  "The  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion of  Philadelphia."  The  new  corporation,  among  other  powers, 
had  that  of  appointing  ofllicers  who  were  to  give  their  services  free  of 
charge,  insuring  houses  from  loss  or  damage  by  fire,  providing  capital 
stock,  and  granting  the  admission  of  other  companies  into  membership. 
The  legislature  reserved  the  right  to  annul  the  charter  of  the  new  asso- 
ciation. Although  there  was  no  prohibition  in  the  original  charter,  the 
business  was  confined  to  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia. 

The  Fire  Association  had  its  office  but  a  short  time  in  Caleb  Carmalt's 
house.  As  the  number  of  policies  increased  and  Mr.  Carmalt's  duties 
as  treasurer  became  more  exacting,  the  Association  moved  its  office 
to  Arch  Street,  east  of  Fifth  Street.  Though  the  new  association 
had  no  funds,  so  good  was  the  credit  of  the  men  who  lent  their  names 
to  it  that  ten  risks  were  taken  the  first  year.  In  18 19  this  number 
was  increased  to  seventeen,  and  in  1820 — the  year  the  charter  was 
obtained — the  Association  wrote  twenty-nine  policies.  This  was 
done  in  the  midst  of  a  reaction  from  war  stimulus, — a  time  unfavor- 
able to  the  progress  of  fire  insurance.  For  the  next  twelve  or  thirteen 
years  the  progress  of  the  Association  in  underwriting  was  as  follows: 
1821,53;  1822,77;  1823,321;  1824,252;  1825,345;  1826,338;  1827, 
473;    1828,    439;    1829,    501;    1830,481;    1831,502;    1832,583. 

The  total  risks  taken  up  to  1832  were  4,387,  and  the  total  amount 
of  losses  paid  by  the  Association  since  its  organization — up  to  1832 — 
amounted  to  $5,888.15.  From  year  to  year  new  engine  and  hose 
companies  were  admitted  to  membership.  The  first  companies  ad- 
mitted to  the  Association  paid  no  entrance  fee.  Subsequently  a  fee 
was  imposed,  and  increased  as  the  assets  of  the  Association  increased, 
until  the  amount  reached  $7,500.  In  one  case  $10,000  was  offered 
for  admission,  but  this  was  refused  by  the  Board  of  Delegates. 

"I  send  you,"  wrote  a  correspondent  of  the  Daily  Chronicle  to  the 
Register  of  Pennsylvania^  October  31,  1829,  "for  publication  a  correct 
list  of  the  forty-four  Fire  Companies  in  the  City  and  adjoining  dis- 


Opposition 
to  the 
charter  of 
the  Fire 
Association 


Growth  or 
the  Fire 
Association 


Risks  taken 
up  to  1832 


Listof  the  fire 
companies 
in  1S2Q 


.'3lT?E?ftr^  'T^^T/^' 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF     PHILADELPHIA 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


-4 


tricts.  Twenty-eight  Companies  are  located  in  the  city  and  limits, 
all  of  them,  with  the  exception  of  one  Engine  and  three  Hose  Com- 
panies, are  Members  of  the  fire  Association.  Two  Companies  in 
Frankford  are  also  Members  of  the  Association,  making  forty-two 
Companies  at  present  composing  that  flourishing  Institution:  Engine 


Companies:  Assistance,  Columbia,  Delaware,  Diligent,  Fairmount, 
Federal,  Franklin,  Friendship,  Globe,  Good  Intent,  Good  Will,  Hand- 
in-Hand,  Harmony,  Hibernia,  Hope,  Humane,  Northern  Liberty, 
Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  Reliance,  Relief,  Resolution,  Southwar'k, 
United  States,  Vigilant,  Washington,  and  Weccacoe.  Hose  Companies: 
America,  Columbia,  Diligent,  Fame,  Good  Intent,  Hope,  Humane, 
Neptune,  Niagara,  Northern  Liberty,  Perseverance,  Philadelphia, 
Phoenix,  Resolution,  Southwark,  United  States  and  Washington." 

Though  the  actual  history  of  the  Fire  Association  has  been  traced  first 
farther  than  the  limits  of  this  heading  permit,  there  are  a  few  more  mrr tings  in 
details  which  may  appropriately  be  mentioned  here.     By  the  first  of  Carp/nters' 
the  year  1823  the  Trustees  of  the  Association  held  their  meetings  in  l^^ll- 
historic  Carpenters'  Hall,  and  for  some  time  thereafter  the  meetings 
were  held  in  this  building. 

An  entry  in  the  minute-books  of  the  Perseverance  Hose  Company  Eari-  f:re 
in  1 821  is  to  this  effect:  "Court  House,  Cor.  5th  and  Chestnut  Streets  records 
— fire  in  the  loft,  set  fire  to  the  roof.  Extinguished  before  doing  much 
damage."  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  court-house  a  year  before 
had  been  the  scene  of  the  agitation  on  the  part  of  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion when  its  charter  was  refused  by  the  legislature.  Mr.  Marshall 
Garrigues,  the  present  secretary  of  the  Fire  Association,  recently  said 
that,  when  work  (done  within  a  year)  on  the  roof  of  the  old  court- 
house was  being  carried  on,  a  charred  timber  was  uncovered;  and 
it  is  Mr.  Garrigues's  opinion  that  this  timber  was  burned  in  the  fire 
of  1821  mentioned  in  the  minutes  of  the  Perseverance  Hose  Company. 

The  first  loss  sustained  by  the  Fire  Association  was  on  the  houses  of  / ;-  ui 

J.  Ridgeway,  Eleventh  Street,  near  Vine  Street.     A  committee  was  th- 
appointed  to  report  on  this  loss,  and  $1,220  was  drawn  as  a  "full   -^^^ 
compensation  for  damage  done  on  the  buildings  by  fire." 

A  BRIEF  STORY  OF  THE  ENGINE  AND  HOSE  COMPANIES 
THAT  FORMED  THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF  PHILA- 
DELPHIA 

The  members  of  these  early  volunteer  fire  companies  were  men  of  high  //  , 
standing,  many  of  them  scholars,  all  of  them  influential  in  community 
affairs;  and  among  their  number  were  lawyers,  doctors,  and  clergymen. 
In  not  one  case,  but  in  scores  of  cases  the  literary  merit  of  the  minutes 
kept  by  the  various  companies  is  evident;  and  in  the  reports  are  frequent 
insertions  of  Latin,  Greek,  Italian,  and  English  quotations.  In  many 
instances  the  accounts  of  various  proceedings  are  written  with  a  beautiful 
preciseness  at  some  length,  in  rhymed  or  epic  verse.  Page  after  page  of 
flowery  accounts  of  the  meetings  of  these  early  firemen  still  exists.  The 
minutes  of  the  Humane  Hose  Company  of  1807  are  in  the  handwriting 
of  Daniel  H.  Miller,  who  afterward  became  a  member  of  Congress. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  these  men  of  high  standing  and  finished 
education  belonged  to  the  volunteer  fire  companies,  petty  differences 
arose  between  rival  organizations.  For  a  century  perhaps — up  to  the 
disbanding  of  the  Volunteer  Fire  Department — men  fought  to  uphold 
the  prestige  of  their  own  engine  or  hose  company.     The  disagreements 


'  r-* 


10 


II 


INTENTIONAL  SECOND  EXPOSURE 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


tricts.  Twenty-eight  Companies  are  located  in  the  city  and  limits, 
all  of  them,  with  the  exception  of  one  Engine  and  three  Hose  Com- 
panies, are  Members  of  the  Fire  Association.  Two  Companies  in 
Frankford  are  also  Members  of  the  Association,  making  forty-two 
Companies  at  present  composing  that  flourishing  Institution:  Engine 


lO 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


Companies:  Assistance,  Columbia,  Delaware,  Diligent,  Fairmount, 
Federal,  Franklin,  Friendship,  Globe,  Good  Intent,  Good  Will,  Hand- 
in-Hand,  Harmony,  Hibernia,  Hope,  Humane,  Northern  Liberty, 
Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia,  Reliance,  Relief,  Resolution,  Southwark, 
United  States,  Vigilant,  Washington,  and  Weccacoe.  Hose  Companies: 
America,  Columbia,  Diligent,  Fame,  Good  Intent,  Hope,  Humane, 
Neptune,  Niagara,  Northern  Liberty,  Perseverance,  Philadelphia, 
Phoenix,  Resolution,  Southwark,  United  States  and  Washington." 

Though  the  actual  history  of  the  Fire  Association  has  been  traced 
farther  than  the  limits  of  this  heading  permit,  there  are  a  few  more 
details  which  may  appropriately  be  mentioned  here.  By  the  first  of 
the  year  1823  ^^e  Trustees  of  the  Association  held  their  meetings  in 
historic  Carpenters*  Hall,  and  for  some  time  thereafter  the  meetings 
were  held  in  this  building. 

An  entry  in  the  minute-books  of  the  Perseverance  Hose  Company 
in  1 821  is  to  this  effect:  "Court  House,  Cor.  5th  and  Chestnut  Streets 
— fire  in  the  loft,  set  fire  to  the  roof.  Extinguished  before  doing  much 
damage."  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  court-house  a  year  before 
had  been  the  scene  of  the  agitation  on  the  part  of  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion when  its  charter  was  refused  by  the  legislature.  Mr.  Marshall 
Garrigues,  the  present  secretary  of  the  Fire  Association,  recently  said 
that,  when  work  (done  within  a  year)  on  the  roof  of  the  old  court- 
house was  being  carried  on,  a  charred  timber  was  uncovered;  and 
it  is  Mr.  Garrigues's  opinion  that  this  timber  was  burned  in  the  fire 
of  1 821  mentioned  in  the  minutes  of  the  Perseverance  Hose  Company. 

The  first  loss  sustained  by  the  Fire  Association  was  on  the  houses  of 
J.  Ridgeway,  Eleventh  Street,  near  Vine  Street.  A  committee  was 
appointed  to  report  on  this  loss,  and  $1,220  was  drawn  as  a  "full 
compensation  for  damage  done  on  the  buildings  by  fire." 

A  BRIEF  STORY  OF  THE  ENGINE  AND  HOSE  COMPANIES 
THAT  FORMED  THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF  PHILA- 
DELPHIA 

The  members  of  these  early  volunteer  fire  companies  were  men  of  high 
standing,  many  of  them  "scholars,  all  of  them  influential  in  community 
affairs;  and  among  their  number  were  lawyers,  doctors,  and  clergymen. 
In  not  one  case,  but  in  scores  of  cases  the  literary  merit  of  the  minutes 
kept  by  the  various  companies  is  evident;  and  in  the  reports  are  frequent 
insertions  of  Latin,  Greek,  Italian,  and  English  quotations.  In  many 
instances  the  accountsof  various  proceedings  are  written  with  a  beautiful 
preciseness  at  some  length,  in  rhymed  or  epic  verse.  Page  after  page  of 
flowery  accounts  of  the  meetings  of  these  early  firemen  still  exists.  The 
minutes  of  the  Humane  Hose  Company  of  1807  are  in  the  handwriting 
of  Daniel  H.  Miller,  who  afterward  became  a  member  of  Congress. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  these  men  of  high  standing  and  finished 
education  belonged  to  the  volunteer  fire  companies,  petty  differences 
arose  between  rival  organizations.  For  a  century  perhaps — up  to  the 
disbanding  of  the  Volunteer  Fire  Department — men  fought  to  uphold 
the  prestige  of  tl^eir  own  engine  or  hose  company.     The  disagreements 

II 


First 

meetings  in 
Carpenters* 
Hall 


Early  fire 
records 


First  loss  of 
the  Fire 
Association 


High 

sta7iding  of 

volunteer 

firemen 


Differences 

bet-ween 

rival 

companies 


i^tf 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


Good  Intent 
Hose  Com- 
pany and 
Philadelphia 
Hose  Com- 
pany quarrel 
over  right 
to  hells 


More  about 

the  trouble 

over  bells 


of  the  Montagues  and  Capulets  were  mild,  compared  with  those  of  the 
Volunteer  Fire  Department  of  Philadelphia.  It  was  no  unusual  per- 
formance, we  are  told, — and  this  within  the  actual  memory  of  men 
who  recall  similar  occasions, — for  two  companies  to  start  for  the  same 
fire,  and,  having  differences  of  their  own  to  settle  on  the  way,  to  let 
the  fire  look  out  for  itself  while  they  argued  concerning  the  color  of 
their  coats  or  the  decorations  of  their  hose-carts  or  the  right  that 
either  might  have  to  carry  a  bell  on  its  engine. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  last  century  the  Good  Intent  Hose  Company 
and  the  Philadelphia  Hose  Company  had  a  serious  reckoning  in  regard 
to  bells.  The  Philadelphia  was  the  first  hose  company  organized  in 
the  city,  while  the  Good  Intent,  composed  largely  of  Quaker  members, 
was  the  second.  Taking  its  predecessor  as  a  model,  the  Good  Intent 
practically  duplicated  the  Philadelphia's  hose-carriage.  At  once  the 
rival  company  passed  a  resolution  to  this  effect:  ^''Resolved,  As  the 
Good  Intent  Hose  Carriage  so  nearly  resembles  our  own,  that  a  bell 
of  a  convenient  size  be  procured,  and  affixed  to  the  carriage  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  discovery  of  the  vehicle  be  facilitated  by  those  mem- 
bers who  happen  to  arrive  at  the  house  after  the  hose  is  removed." 
There  was  some  difficulty  and  no  doubt  a  good  degree  of  pride  in  pro- 
curing this  bell,  and  setting  it  up  at  a  cost  of  $i8.8i.  Immediately 
the  Neptune  Hose  Company,  then  recently  formed,  ordered  a  bell. 
In  vain  the  Philadelphias  remonstrated,  and  the  Fire  Association 
interfered  in  their  behalf,  thinking  that  great  injury  had  been  done 
them.  The  Neptune  Hose  Company  proceeded  to  buy  its  bell.  The 
Philadelphia  Company  was  furious,  and  at  once  appropriated  thirty 
dollars  toward  patenting  its  bell;  and  in  1809  this  patent  was  issued 
"for  the  attachment  of  an  alarm  bell  to  a  fire  engine  or  hose  carriage 
or  other  vehicle  for  the  conveyance  of  fire  apparatus."  The  Neptune 
Hose  Company  took  the  bell  from  its  hose-carriage. 

Again  offenders  arose  in  the  Quaker  members  of  the  Good  Intent. 
They  had  long  coveted  the  bell  idea  which  originated  with  the  Phila- 
delphia Hose  Company.  In  181 1  they  placed  two  bells  on  their  hose- 
carriage,  as  "the  most  eligible  method  of  collecting  the  members 
during  fire."  The  Philadelphia  Company  looked  upon  this  as  a  viola- 
tion of  its  own  particular  mark  of  distinction,  as  well  as  an  infringe- 
ment of  its  patent,  and  at  once  ordered  the  Good  Intent  to  remove  the 
bells.  The  Fire  Association,  when  appealed  to,  upheld  the  stand 
taken  by  the  Philadelphia  Company.  The  Quaker  organization 
proved  excellent  adversaries,  and  they  continued  not  only  to  use  their 
bells,  but  to  ring  them  with  uncommon- vigor.  Their  expulsion  from 
the  Fire  Association  followed,  and  the  rival  company  commenced  suit 
against  them.  The  case  was  tried  in  the  United  States  Circuit  Court 
before  Judges  Washington  and  Peters.  The  charge  of  the  court  was 
with  the  plaintiffs;  but  the  jury,  after  retiring  for  ten  minutes,  re- 
turned with  a  verdict  favoring  the  defendants.  The  victors  not  only 
continued  to  use  two  bells,  but  they  had  pictures  of  them  painted  on 
their  fire-hats.  The  Good  Intent  was  once  more  admitted  to  the  Fire 
Association,  and  the  Philadelphia  paid  its  counsel  fifty  dollars  more 
than  agreed,  so  pleased  was  it  with  the  management  of  the  case. 

n 


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ll  -_ 


»i»>»niniinnnMiMr»'i»iniin»)i»m»niimiiinwinniiiiii munun 


numiuiiuuMMminil 


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tnrnfnifftrfftvn 


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|ii/M>iTiM>^w;>»F>i>>>w»H>>fiT»>»>»iifp/»»iiMMiiyf»rrf>Mi>»iNFiiriiiiMi'ii'iiiiniimuHnmiinuM<u<Mnivmm\mv<<\M\vumMu<m\\\<v^ 


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II 


rrfTfrrrrrmrrrrrrrm 


INTENTIONAL  SECOND  EXPOSURE  " 


// 


/'' 


// 


:hi'  :r'  u 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION     OF     PHILADELPHIA 

of  the  Montagues  and  Capulets  were  mild,  compared  with  those  of  the 
Volunteer  Fire  Department  of  Philadelphia.  It  was  no  unusual  per- 
formance, we  are  told,— and  this  within  the  actual  memory  of  men 
who  recall  similar  occasions,— for  two  companies  to  start  for  the  same 
fire  and,  having  differences  of  their  own  to  settle  on  the  way,  to  let 
the'  fire  look  out  for  itself  while  they  argued  concernmg  the  color  ot 
their  coats  or  the  decorations  of  their  hose-carts  or  the  right  that 
either  might  have  to  carry  a  bell  on  its  engine. 

In  the  earlv  part  of  the  last  century  the  Good  Intent  Hose  Company 
and  the  Philadelphia  Hose  Company  had  a  serious  reckonmg  m  regard 
to  bells      The  Philadelphia  was  the  first  hose  company  organized  in 
the  city,  while  the  Good  Intent,  composed  largely  of  Quaker  members, 
was  the  second.     Taking  its  predecessor  as  a  model,  the  Good  Intent 
practically  duplicated  the  Philadelphia's  hose-carnage.     At  once  the 
rival  companv  passed  a    resolution  to  this  effect:    ''Resolved,  As  the 
Good  Intent  Hose  Carriage  so  nearly  resembles  our  own,  that  a  bell 
of  a  convenient  size  be  procured,  and  affixed  to  the  carriage  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  discovery  of  the  vehicle  be  facilitated  by  those  mem^- 
bers  who  happen  to  arrive  at  the  house  after  the  hose  is  removed. 
There  was  some  difiiculty  and  no  doubt  a  good  degree  of  pride  in  pro- 
curing this  bell,  and  setting  it  up  at  a  cost  of  $i8.8i.     Immediate  y 
the  Neptune  Hose  Company,  then  recently  formed,  ordered  a  bell. 
In    vain    the    Philadelphias    remonstrated,    and    the    Fire   Association 
interfered  in  their  behalf,  thinking  that  great  injury  had  been  done 
them.     The  Neptune  Hose  Company  proceeded  to  buy  its  bell.      1  he 
Philadelphia  Company  was  furious,  and  at  once  appropriated  thirty 
dollars  toward  patenting  its  bell;    and  in  1809  this  patent  was  issued 
"for  the  attachment  of  an  alarm  bell  to  a  fire  engine  or  hose  carriage 
or  other  vehicle  for  the  conveyance  of  fire  apparatus."     The  Neptune 
Hose  Companv  took  the  bell  from  its  hose-carnage. 

Again  offenders  arose  in  the  Quaker  members  of  the  Good  Intent. 
Thev  had  long  coveted  the  bell  idea  which  originated  with  the  Phila- 
delphia Hose  Company.     In  181 1  they  placed  two  bells  on  their  hose- 
carriage,   as   "the  most  eligible  method  of    collecting  the   members 
during  fire."     The  Philadelphia  Company  looked  upon  this  as  a  viola- 
tion of  its  own  particular  mark  of  distinction,  as  well  as  an  infnnge- 
ment  of  its  patent,  and  at  once  ordered  the  Good  Intent  to  remove  the 
bells      The   Fire   Association,   when    appealed   to,    upheld   the   stand 
taken    by    the    Philadelphia    Company.     The    Quaker    organization 
proved  excellent  adversaries,  and  they  continued  not  only  to  use  then- 
bells,  but  to  ring  them  with  uncommon  vigor.     Their  expulsion  trom 
the  Fire  Association  followed,  and  the  rival  company  commenced  suit 
aeainst  them.     The  case  was  tried  in  the  United  States  Circuit  Court 
before  Judges  Washington  and  Peters.     The  charge  of  the  court  was 
with  the  plaintiffs;    but  the  jury,  after  retiring  for  ten  minutes,  re- 
turned with  a  verdict  favoring  the  defendants.     The  victors  not  only 
continued  to  use  two  bells,  but  they  had  pictures  of  them  painted  on 
their  fire-hats.     The  Good  Intent  was  once  more  admitted  to  the  1^  ire 
Association,  and  the  Philadelphia  paid  its  counsel  fifty  dollars  more 
than  agreed,  so  pleased  was  it  with  the  management  of  the  case. 

12 


k^v^v^^ww^v^^^v^^wn^v^^^^u'>v^^'^'^^v^^^''^^^^M^^''^^^^^^'^^^'^^^^]^^™^''^''^"^ 


'^^S^^^^^S^^^^ 


'n»»>»n>>>fniiiii  I  null)  1 1  iiininiMiiiHiii irmi' inniimiiT 


A..^Li...^r'■ 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


Philadelphia 
Hose  Com- 
pany buys 
the 
Hydraulion 


Costumes 

of  engine 

and  hose 

companies 


Jealousy 

over 

emblems 


Burning 
of  the 

Orphans'' 
Asylum 
in  1822 


An  amusing 
record 


The  Philadelphia  Hose  Company,  after  a  four  years'  debate,  bought 
for  $1,400  an  apparatus  which  has  come  down  in  history  as  the 
"Hydraulion."  It  was  a  novelty  for  the  three  years  it  was  used, 
though  something  of  a  monstrosity;  and,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned,  it  was  sold  about  1817  for  the  use  of  the  Insane  Asylum. 
One  of  the  most  remarkable  attachments  of  this  apparatus  was  a  gong. 
The  old  desire  to  eclipse  its  rivals  had  possessed  the  Philadelphia  Hose 
Company;  and  it  imported  from  China  this  gong  appliance,  round 
in  shape,  made  of  copper,  and  some  eighteen  inches  in  diameter.  A 
person  was  paid  to  go  with  the  hydraulion  and  beat  the  gong. 
Owing  to  the  incessant  efforts  of  the  fellow  who  performed  this  office 
to  live  up  to  his  job,  the  internal  mechanism  of  the  contrivance  was 
literally  crushed  and  its  sonorous  voice  was  lost  forever. 

Changes  in  styles  of  dress  among  the  various  engine  and  hose  com- 
panies were  frequent,  and  their  parti-colored  costumes  rivalled  Jo- 
seph's coat  of  many  colors.  Early  in  the  thirties  the  Washington 
Fire  Company  decided  that  the  color  of  its  capes  should  be  "blue 
instead  of  yellow  as  heretofore."  Its  hats  and  badges  were  also  changed 
from  yellow  to  blue.  The  Columbia  Fire  Company  passed  a  vote 
at  about  this  time  to  the  effect  that  its  badge  should  have  a  light 
blue  ground,  that  the  cape  should  have  a  border  of  vermilion  red  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  wide,  the  back  of  it  to  have  a  cloud  of  fire  and 
smoke  and  the  word  "Columbia"  in  large  gold  letters  inserted  therein, 
and  the  letter  C  in  gold  in  each  corner  of  the  cape.  Details  of  this 
costume  evidently  not  pleasing,  in  1834  it  was  decreed  that  the  coat, 
hat,  and  cape  should  be  black  instead  of  blue,  and  the  edges  of  the 

cape  gold.  t      -i      r       i_i  j 

Jealousy  on  every  hand  was  shown  in  the  details  of  emblems  and 
badges.  In  the  early  days  of  the  Fire  Association  these  emblems  were 
matters  of  great  pride.  The  Resolution  Fire  Company  in  18 10  pro- 
tested against  the  admission  of  the  Columbia  Hose  Company  to  the 
Fire  Hose  Association  because  the  latter  "had  adopted  as  a  badge 
the  device  of  an  eagle  with  outspread  wings."  The  representative  of 
the  Resolution  went  on  to  say  that,  if  the  infringer  of  their  emblem 
was  admitted  to  the  Association,  they— the  Resolution— would  resign. 
These  early  companies,  however,  served  their  city  well,  often  endur- 
ing hardship  and  encountering  danger  when  fighting  fire.  When  the 
Orphans'  Asylum  was  burned  on  a  bitter  morning  in  January,  1822, 
every  fireman  faithfully  performed  his  duty.  On  account  of  the  dis- 
tance of  the  asylum  from  town— at  Schuylkill,  Fifth,  and  Cherry 
g^-j-eets- it  was  some  time  before  the  engine  companies  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  place;  and,  when  they  did  arrive,  they  worked  under 
great  difficulties,  their  fire  apparatus  being  absolutely  useless  on  ac- 
count of  the  cold,  their  hose  frozen,  and  everything  clogged  with  ice. 
The  building  and  all  within  its  walls  burned.  Twenty-three  children 
perished  in  the  flames.  The  firemen  worked  for  many  hours  in  the 
bitter  cold,  caring  for  the  half-frozen  children  they  had  rescued  from 

the  asylum.  .  ^    urj- 

An  amusing  record  concerning  an  early  fire  is  thus  reported:      lues, 
night,  about  10  o'clock,  June  7th,  1814.     A  fire  broke  out  in  an  empty 

14 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


house  in  Currin  Alley,  which  destroyed  three  houses.     The  *Hope 
was  the  first  on  the  ground  and  the  last  that  left  it.     She  sho^yed,  as 
usual,  that  wherever  she  is,  the  surrounding  buildings  are  animated 
at  her  appearance."  1       1    i- 

The  Good  Will  Fire  Company  won  no  small  fame  during  the  aboli- 
tion riots  of  1838,  when  a  mob  attacked  the  Shelter  for  Colored 
Orphans  at  Thirteenth  Street,  above  Callowhill  Street,  and  set  fire  to 
the  building.  The  Good  Will  Fire  Company  extinguished  the  confla- 
gration, and  was  largely  responsible  for  dispersing  the  mob. 

The  great  fire  on  Dock  Street  is  spoken  of  in  the  minutes  of  one  of 
the  fire  companies:  "Friday  evening,  May  9,  1806.  A  fire  broke  out 
in  Dock  Street  between  Second  and  Third  Streets,  which  destroyed 
and  injured  thirty  buildings.  'Hope'  engine  attended  the  fire  from 
8  until  I  o'clock.  Cornelius  Stevenson  was  fined  25  cents  for  leaving 
the  engine  at  the  fire.  Fine  remitted."  Far  be  it  from  the  writer 
to  suggest  that  Mr.  Stevenson  may  have  left  his  engine  to  partake  of 
the  "wee  drap  o'  gin"  customarily  allowed  members  of  the  fire  com- 
panies. They  say,  when  questioned  concerning  the  appropriations 
for  gin,  in  the  early  minute-books  that  this  beverage  was  served 
at  fires  to  prevent  the  firemen  from  taking  cold.  The  custom  of 
drinking  during  business  meetings  seems  to  have  been  banned  by  the 
Hope  Engine  Company  when  they  voted  that  "smoking  and  drinking 
(water  excepted)  during  the  time  of  business  should  not  be  allowed." 

Further  disagreements  among  the  fire  companies  are  recorded  in 
the  minutes  of  the  Fire  Association  of  July  3,  1845;  and  a  number  of 
fines  were  levied  for  various  offences,  which  included  assault,  taking 
forcible  possession  of  fire-plugs,  damage  to  hose-carriages,  destruction 
of  engines,  disorderly  conduct,  and  beating  members  of  rival  companies. 

In  spite  of  their  petty  differences  these  early  firemen  knew  what 
good  fellowship  meant.  They  frequently  joined  in  toasting  their 
rivals,  and  the  parades  given  at  stated  intervals  were  eagerly  antici- 
pated and  a  good-natured  rivalry  was  exhibited  in  the  preparation 
for  these  events.  Banquets  frequently  followed  the  parades,  and  in 
many  cases  they  were  memorable  occasions.  One  of  them  must  have 
been  more  far-reaching  in  its  influence  than  any  one  dreamed,  for  it 
bridged  the  years  up  to  the  Civil  War  when  a  Northern  soldier  was 
brought  to  Libby  Prison.  Pinned  on  the  lapel  of  his  blue  coat  was 
a  faded  badge  of  one  of  the  early  fire  companies  of  Philadelphia. 

"Where  did  you  get  that  badge?"  asked  the  Southern  guard. 

"From  my  fire  company  in  Philadelphia,"  was  the  answer. 

"Once  I  belonged  to  a  fire  company  there,"  admitted  the  man  in 
gray,  "a  rival  company."  Then  he  suddenly  added:  "I'll  tell  you 
what  I'll  do,— for  old  time's  sake,  I'll  get  you  out  of  this  living  hell. 
I'll  help  you  to  escape — because — well,  because  you're  a  Philadelphia 

fireman." 

He  was  as  good  as  his  word.  He  gave  the  Northern  man  food  and 
clothing,  and  aided  him  to  a  place  of  safety.  This  brief  illustration 
shows  that  among  these  members  of  the  old  Volunteer  Fire  Depart- 
ment were  some  of  the  best  men  in  Philadelphia,  and  that  in  spite  of 
the  petty  differences  concerning  the  color  of  a  badge  or  a  coat,  when 

I 

15 


Good  Will 
Fire 

Company 
disperses  a 
mob 

Great  fire 
of  1S06,  and 
drinking 


More  dis- 
agreements 


Good  fellow- 
ship and 
Libby 
Prison 
adventure 


Old  fireman 
aids  another 
to  escape 


^         f 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


Old  fire 

companies 

help 

wounded 


Announce- 
ment in 
Paulson's 
American 
Daily 
Adtertiser 


a  great  emergency  arose,  there  appeared  the  man  to  meet  it,  and 
brave  deeds  were  done  by  those  who  gave  their  allegiance  to  the 
"City  of  Brotherly  Love." 

The  great  service  which  the  old  fire  companies  rendered  to  the 
wounded  during  the  Civil  War  is  also  a  phase  of  their  activity  about 
which  little  is  known.  Many  of  the  fire  companies  during  the  Civil 
War  had  ambulances  with  which  they  met  the  wounded  from  the 
battlefields  when  they  arrived  at  Philadelphia  and  transported  them 
to  the  hospitals.  In  some  instances  alarms  were  rung  by  the  fire 
companies  upon  the  arrival  of  a  train  with  wounded  soldiers.  Many 
a  Grand  Army  veteran  owed  his  life  to  the  promptness  and  the  loving 
care  with  which  these  old  volunteer  firemen  handled  him  on  the 
way  from  the  depots  to  the  hospitals.  ^  r   t^, -i   j  i   u- 

The  influences  that  made  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia 
have  been  traced  from  1736  to  that  eventful  meeting  in  which  the 
engine  and  hose  companies  further  cemented  their  interests,  an- 
nounced in  Poulson's  American  Daily  Advertiser  of  Wednesday  morn- 
ing, February  5,  18 17. 

CELEBRATION  OF  THE  THIRTEENTH  ANNIVERSARY  OF 

THE   INCORPORATION   OF   THE    FIRE   ASSOCIATION 

OF  PHILADELPHIA 

The  thirteenth  anniversary  of  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia 
was  marked  by  two  events,  the  reincorporation  of  the  Fire  Association 
and  a  grand  parade,  followed  by  a  ball  in  the  Hall  of  the  Musical  Society. 
The  parade  idea  had  been  carried  out  the  year  before,  in  1832,  when 
the  first  general  parade  of  firemen  took  place  on  the  centennial  of  the 
birth  of  Washington.     A  preamble  to  an  Act  of  the  Assembly,  ap- 
proved April  3,  1833,  contained  a  statement  to  the  effect  that  the 
fire-engine  and  hose  companies  named,  "in order  to  promote  harmony 
and  friendly  intercourse  among  them,  to  establish  those  just  relations 
that  ought  to  exist  among  institutions  whose  views  are  similar  and  to 
enable  them  more  effectively  to  perform  those  philanthropic  duties, 
had  formed  themselves  into  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia,  and 
had  chosen  delegates  from  each  company,  who  in  their  turn  had  se- 
lected trustees,  and  these  trustees  and  their  successors  were  constituted 
a  body  corporate  by  the  name  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Association  of 
Philadelphia,  to  have  perpetual  succession.     These  trustees  elected  oflR- 
cers  at  such  salaries  as  they  deemed  expedient.     No  trustee,  however, 
could  be  appointed  to  any  office  to  which  a  compensation  was  attached. 
It  was  the  duty  of  this  board  to  furnish  a  semi-annual  statement  of 
the  funds  of  the  Association  to  the  Board  of  Delegates,  and  from  time 
to  time,  as  the  delegates  desired,  such  information  concerning  the 
affairs  of  the  Association  as  they  might  consider  necessary.     It  was 
also  provided  that  the  property  and  funds  then  in  the  hands  of  the 
trustees,  together  with  the  sums  thereafter  accumulating,  should  be 
the  Association's  capital  stock,  and  that  no  distribution  of  this  stock 
should  take  place,  except  in  payment  of  losses,  until  the  interest  on 
loans,  premiums  for  insurance,  and  other  profits  amounted  to  $100,000. 

16 


I 


J.  I    -^ 


K^^^^t^^v^wwl^^v^^wv^vwv^^^^^^^v^w^^^w^^^^^^^^ 


^pwri^ 


•^H^tmmmmmlr^m 


■'   *  Mil    f\'  4\\    jm'\}t 


KOTKjB. 

ALL  persona  Indebtecl  to  the  ettatc  ^Jkn^K 
^ViL^'AMs,  lutieeflh^Korijiem  Liberties 
Comb^malicr,  ciec<  ased,  are  iH^qtiestgd  to  t^uike 
pay  me  at  of  tli^  sutiic— -aiul  all  [Krspitft  having 
finy  dcinamU  aj^uinst  tlie  estate  will  pro(i(!c# 
their  accounts  properly  attested  t<> 

A^ministratbr  d^  bom:i  non^ 
feb5  wam3t 


■■III* « 


■  <_ii    »|<i^iii       I     liiiii  V     <\  V, 


m\  111 


Fire  Assbciatioii, 

Atthe  reqm*stof  a  Humber  «fthc  Tire  Com- 
panil^^  df  tliis  City,  the  Presidenta  uf  the  d'lftlW 
ent  BngiiVe  Companies,  are  invited  fo  incct  at 
I,  J  the  BooiiT'  of  the  Vig'ilaot  Fire  Ct  m|>raiy,  m 
Kaee^reet  ))ctween  Frtjut  ainj  Second  sOectai, 
<  n  Xbursday  fveniD^liexi,  tiie  6lh  iDi<fai^f,  atT 
o'clo45k,  ih^nlef  toxoiiiuder  thi?  px-opriet^v  of 
forming'  a  Pire  Association.  eo3f 

<i*—rfi^fc4iA*ni»<i  ,« ii< infill  >«    III  k  I  f'mm  .  _■  mi  w  ■»  ir 


'  'i 


>■»»•■»— M»—*——>  !■         n      m 


"t^m 


Piiiladelphia,  l-Ttb  a«ir.  18ir. 
*;^      t£T1*EUS^for  the  -  Eritlaih  l^acket 

For  Fatjtiojl^^.dit  jc t,,  wlU  j^ 

lUTT^iii  otU  Fehjuaiy  nejtt^  «t  ball' jpw^  t^*^v4 
P.  M.      '  * 

b^paid,'  '  ■  "^' 


pgiB^y-' 


ADVERTISEMENT  FROM  "POULSON'S  AMERICAN  DAILY  ADVERTISER,"  Feb.  5, 1817 


m 


-»       t 


INTENTIONAL  SECOND  EXPOSURE 


Hi.,  At-. 


^iii 


I  !■.       <fc«i 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


a  great  emergency  arose,  there   appeared    the  man  to    meet  it,  and 
brave  deeds  were'  done  by   those  who  gave   their  allegiance  to   the 
"City  of  Brotherly  Love." 
O'd  fire       The  great  service  which   the  old   fire  companies   rendered   to  the 
companu-^  wounded  during  the  Civil  War  is  also  a  phase  of  their  activity  about 
help  which  little  is  known.     Many  of  the  fire  companies  during  the  Civil 
rvoundr-rl  War  had  ambulances  with  which  they  met  the  wounded  from  the 
battlefields  when  they  arrived  at  Philadelphia  and  transported  them 
to  the  hospitals.     In  some  instances  alarms  were   rung  by  the  fire 
companies  upon  the  arrival  of  a  train  with  wounded  soldiers.     Many 
a  Grand  Army  veteran  owed  his  life  to  the  promptness  and  the  loving 
care  with   which   these  old   volunteer  firemen   handled   him   on   the 
way  from  the  depots  to  the  hospitals.  .   t^,  -i    ,  ,   ,  • 

The   influences  that    made    the    Fire   Association   of   Philadelphia 
have  been  traced  from  1736  to  that  eventful  meeting  in  which  the 

,  ,„., ,   engine    and    hose  companies    further   cemented    their   interests,    an- 

Jmrncnn   nounced  in  Poulson's  American  Daily  Advertiser  of  Wednesday  morn- 
Daily  ing,  February  5,  18 17. 


Announce' 
ment  in 

Poulsfin\' 


Jdterti^er 


CELEBRATION  OF  THE  THIRTEENTH  ANNIVERSARY  OF 
THE   INCORPORATION    OF   THE    FIRE   ASSOCIATION 
OF   PHILADELPHIA 
The  thirteenth  anniversary  of  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia 
was  marked  by  two  events,  the  reincorporation  of  the  Fire  Association 
and  a  grand  parade,  followed  by  a  ball  in  the  Hall  of  the  Musical  Society. 
The  parade  idea  had  been  carried  out  the  year  before,  in  1832,  when 
the  first  general  parade  of  firemen  took  place  on  the  centennial  of  the 
birth  of  Washington.     A  preamble  to  an  Act  of  the  Assembly,  ap- 
proved April  3,   1833,  contained  a  statement  to  the  effect  that  the 
fire-engine  and  hose  companies  named,  "in  order  to  promote  harmony 
and  friendly  intercourse  among  them,  to  establish  those  just  relations 
that  ought  to  exist  among  institutions  whose  views  are  similar  and  to 
enable  them  more  effectively  to  perform  those  philanthropic  duties," 
had  formed  themselves  into  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia,  and 
had  chosen  delegates  from  each   company,  who  in  their  turn  had  se- 
lected trustees,  and  these  trustees  and  their  successors  were  constituted 
a  body  corporate  by  the  name  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Association  of 
Philadelphia,  to  have  perpetual  succession.     These  trustees  elected  oflR- 
cers  at  such  salaries  as  they  deemed  expedient.     No  trustee,  however, 
could  be  appointed  to  any  ofl[ice  to  which  a  compensation  was  attached. 
It  was  the  duty  of  this  board  to  furnish  a  semi-annual  statement  of 
the  funds  of  the  Association  to  the  Board  of  Delegates,  and  from  time 
to  time,  as  the  delegates  desired,  such  information  concerning  the 
affairs  of  the  Association  as  they  might  consider  necessary.     It  was 
also  provided  that  the  property  and  funds  then  in  the  hands  of  the 
trustees,  together  with  the  sums  thereafter  accumulating,  should  be 
the  Association's  capital  stock,  and  that  no  distribution  of  this  stock 
should  take  place,  except  in  payment  of  losses,  until  the  interest  on 
loans,  premiums  for  insurance,  and  other  profits  amounted  to  $100,000. 

16 


f 


[ 


^tlf^\\\\\\K\\yKKKy\y^^^^ 


I'; 


irawn 
Vvly.e 


ii;iii  past  (1  (>-niock,  fin  especiaJ  i)us'iJWw, 


feb 


♦■ 


ist 


ALL  person.^  Jndebtetl  to  the  estate  of  Jkxkh 
WiLv*  ^>f^.  J-it'K  ©f  Ui^  Nonhem  Liberties 
Comb*makcr,  ckcMibed,  un^  requested  to  make 
payment  of  the  samc—aiul  all  •)f;rsojjs  having 
any  demands  against  the  estate  wtli  produce 
their  accounts  propt  Hy  attesited  to 

Tkaddeiis  IVUliamSy 

A^lrainistratorde  bonis  non,- 
ieb  5  M  Wian5t    " 


mmbim 


^ 


,||;«|.^ 


eo3t 


PO:^  OFFICE. 

.      Philadelphia,  Crth  Jan.  I8ir. 
LtTTEUfi^fortheBriliih  Packet 

Xiao--"*'       ^'^^  Fulmoj^.fe.dir  jct,, wrU  b^  re- 

^^'^^SScaWiid  ki  \.hi^A)\^^Y^  vmtit  Wedne** 

tU>'  liiir  oXh  Fcbru&rv  nextj  a^  halt  pa^t  twelvft 

y  }i.  Tl^e  i/^landlri03ta£4t4^NX^  YyiiUftMl 
be  paid, 


Fire  Association. 

At  the  request  of  a  Hunther  of  the  Tire  Com- 
panii'S  of  tills  City,  the  Presidents  of  the  diftor^ 
ent  Eng^ine  Companies,  are  invited  <o  meet  at 
!  the  Room  of  the  Vigilant  Fire  Ct  nipiuiy,  m 
Race  street  between  Front  and  Second  sU  cetai, 
en  Tbin'sdaV  evening;  ncKt,  liie  6ih  insfant,  at  7 
o'clock,  in  order  to /consider  th^  propriety  of; 
forminpf  n  Fire  Association!.  o- 


ADVERTISEMENT  FROM  "POULSON'S  AMERICAN  DAILY  ADVERTISER,  "  Feb.  5, 1817 


» 


i*iVI 


;f9rm-.  ^;  rf  - 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


iwtwmuaw^M>mu^m»mu>»miuwMUHiiiiiuw"Mtiuu»wsm 


,„„„,, I.. yfnn}i»)i'">>f»>>ff'^f'^f*>ff*f^'^'"'"""*""""'""'P 


AN  OLD  VIEW  OF  CARPENTERS'  HALL,  PHILADELPHIA 


Original 

scope  of 

the  Fire 

Association 


Number  ij 

in  history 

of  the  Fire 

Association 


It  was  enacted  that  no  company  belonging  to  the  Association  should 
receive  a  dividend  which  did  not,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board  ot 
Delegates,  possess  a  competent  apparatus  for  the  extinguishment  of 
fires  or  which  should  not  have  been  a  member  of  the  Association  for 
at  least  one  year  before  such  a  dividend  was  declared;  any  and 
everv  other  fire-engine  and  hose  company  might  be  admitted  to 
membership;   and,  finally,  the  Association's  Charter  Act  of  March  27, 

1820,  was  repealed.  .  .  u-  r    u*     ♦ 

The  amendment  was  passed  without  opposition.  Its  chief  object 
was  to  release  the  trustees  from  any  individual  liability  and  another 
obiect  was  to  prevent  the  payment  of  any  dividend  to  the  companies 
forming  the  Association  until  "the  moneys  arising  from  annual  premi- 
ums, interest  on  loans,  and  profits  shall  amount  to  the  sum  of  $100,000. 
This  amended  charter  also  restricted  the  Association  to  the  insurance 
of  houses  and  buildings  in  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia.  (Ihis 
restriction  was  removed  by  a  legislative  supplement,  approved  Apri 
n  1 8-? 8  which  gave  the  Association  the  authority  to  do  a  general 
insurance  business.)  In  1833  forty-five  companies  were  members  of 
the  Association.     Later  this  number  was  increased  to  forty-eight. 

The  number  thirteen  has  played  an  interesting  part  in  the  history 
of  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia.  Not  only  was  the  thirteenth 
anniversary  the  first  observed  by  the  Association  but  this  auspicious 
and,  in  this  chronicle,  lucky  number  has  still  other. points  of  signifi- 
cance.    Thirteen  trustees— now  called  directors— have  always  held 

18 


i 


i 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

office  in  the  Association.  The  first  meeting  held  by  the  trustees  in 
Carpenters'  Hall  was  held  on  February  13,  1825.  There  was  a  reso-  . 
lution  passed  by  the  trustees  on  November  13,  1828,  striking  out  the 
famous  and  much  contested  "tree"  clause,  which  refused  insurance 
to  any  one  in  front  of  whose  house  there  were  trees.  Mr.  Elihu  C. 
Irvin,  the  president  of  the  Fire  Association,  lives  in  a  house  of  thirteen 
rooms  on  North  Thirteenth  Street.  From  the  constant  repetition  of 
the  number  thirteen  in  the  annals  of  the  Fire  Association,  it  is  small 
wonder  that  this  number  is  neither  taboo  nor  unlucky,  since  the  evi- 
dence has  always  been  to  the  contrary. 

On  March  27,  1833,  in  honor  of  the  sixteenth  mile-post  passed,  the  Parade 
engine  and  hose  companies  composing  the  Fire  Association  paraded  of  1S33 
with  their  apparatus  through  the  principal  streets  of  Philadelphia. 
At  this  time  the  Fire  Association  had  on  their  books  more  than  forty- 
five  hundred  insurances.  "This  is  a  most  laudable  institution,"  says 
a  contemporary  publication,  "which  should  receive  the  countenance 
and  support  of  every  individual  in  the  community— that  it  is  ex- 
tremely popular  is  no  more  than  just."  In  describing  the  parade, 
the  same  writer  adds  that  it  "afforded  an  excellent  opportunity  to 
appreciate  the  strength  and  importance  of  this  noble  institution.  At 
present  the  Corporations  of  the  City  and  Liberties  pay  annually  to 
the  Fire  Companies  about  nine  thousand  dollars,  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  their  apparatus  in  repair.  This  tax  on  the  public,  which  they 
pay  cheerfully,  it  is  the  design  of  the  Fire  Association  to  obviate,  bo 
soon  as  a  sufficient  permanent  fund  is  accumulated  from  the  profits 
of  insurance,  this  tax  will  be  removed,  and  the  interests  and  profits 
are  to  be  appropriated  to  paying  their  own  expenses." 

Three  trumpeters  and  three  buglers,  tripping  along  at  a  good  pace   Companies 
and  playing  a  merry  tune,  preceded  the  parade.     Two  pioneers  fol-  which 
lowed,  and  after  them  marched  the  Hibernia,  entitled  to  this  place   P^'f^^^: 
because  it  was  the  oldest  fire  company  in  the  city.     Hazard  s  Register  ^^^£^^^ 
of  Pennsylvania  lists  the  companies  and  describes  their  equipment  as      ^ 
follows : — 

1.  Hibernia.  Drawn  by  four  horses,  and  driven  by  a  man  in  buff  clothes. 
The  equipments  consisted  of  a  fire  hat,  cape,  and  drab  fire  coat— the  former 
painted  green,  with  an  eagle  and  gilt  harp  (the  emblem  of  the  company) 
and  the  word  "Hibernia"  in  gold  letters,  on  a  scarlet  scroll,  in  front— on  the 
back  "H.  F.  C."  On  the  capes  the  initials  of  the  Fire  Association.  Ihe 
Hibernia  was  instituted  Jan.  20,  1752.  On  the  present  occasion,  25  members 
walked  in  procession,  having  hold  of  the  ropes.      ,    ,  ,     ,    ,  t.,      tt 

2.  Philadelphia  Hose.  Drawn  by  four  superb  black  horses.  The  Hose 
Carriage  is  particularly  elegant,  and  though  light,  strong  and  effective.  On 
the  front  is  painted,  in  superb  style,  the  story  of  Nestor  and  Tydides,  with  a 
great  number  of  distinct  figures.  In  the  rear,  a  huge  River  God,  and  a  view 
of  Fair  Mount  Water  Works.  Motto,  "Non  sibi  sed  omnibus.  Instituted 
December  15,  1803.  Twenty  members  turned  out  in  honor  of  the  anniversary. 
They  wore  black  dresses,  black  capes  and  hats,  trimmed  with  gold  and  devices 
in  gilt.     The  banner  was  black.  ,     ,  ,  j 

3.  Northern  Liberty  Engine,  No.  i.  May  i,  1756.  A  standard  bearer  and 
his  aids  carried  a  broad  blue  banner,  highly  decorated.  The  dress  of  the  mem- 
bers was  black  hats  edged  with  red,  black  capes,  with  devices  in  red.     Ihe 

19 


^    It 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

,„<,ine  was  followed  by  a  neat  and  handsome  tender  and  hose,  and  this  was 
drfwn  by  four  bays     They  made  a  fine  appearance.     Forty-five  members 

"T  CooTLni  Has.    March  8,  .804.     Preceded   by  axemen    and  a  rich 
black  banner,  borne  and  supported  by  -embers  of  the  company   had  fo    an 
inscription  "Washington  our  guide  and  monitor        Ihe  dresses  w«;e  oiac 
ranes  and  hats   edged  with  gold,  with  motto  and  devices  in  gilt.    The  hose 
wa"^  drawn  by  f^urhandsome'gra'y  horses,  and  the  driver  was  dressed  in  white 
wUh  a  turban  and  appropriate  costume.    Twenty-eight  members  were  present 
r    yTiU,Tt  Eminf     Preceded  by  the   axemen;  carriage  drawn   by  four 
sorrel  torsef  and^ornamented  with  emblematical  flags,  with  driver  and  post- 
wrinfanc'v  dress    the  gallery  otherwise  decorated;  in  the  rear  the  bucket 
fn^Dlace-rL  engine  is  one  of  the  first  class,  and  most  approved  model. 
Tns?^uted  Ian   2   fX.     Fifty  members  present.    The  dress  of  this  company 
was  gl?een  capes  and  green  hats,  with  gilt  letters  and  devices,  drab  coats  and 

'1.T::)Xi/o..     April,.,  .804.    Three  marsha^  on  ho^eback.  ^ 
banner  bore  a  device  of  a  globe  on  a  fire  plug  supporting  the  American  eagle. 
Dresses  white   edged  and  trimmed  with  red;  cape  and  hat  white,  with  red     , 
ban  printed  behind     Twenty-eight  members  drew  their  own  carnage.     Motto: 

l°'^r:lr''r;«:'  March  ..,   .76..    prawn   by  four  spanking  ba 
riders  in  mariner's  dress,  and  preceded  by  flags  and  banners     On  the  front 

:nh^:trpaty  tfcrib^ti?  i^  t^  F4  °"SH  a!^: 
xn^rwrh1hS^%X^";um^^^^^ 

black  cape  and  black  hats,  edged  with  gold,  with  devices  in  gold.     Twenty-five 

Thirtv-two  members  were  m  the  procession.  .  ^^oarUnns 

iimty  Lww  Drawn   bv  two  gray  horses,   m   rich   caparisons. 

Ba'n°„efHurrh'a  Sre^nfarof'l^avers'^^^^^^^^^ 

severaiu.  Preceded  by  a  marshal  fully  equipped,  and  three 

ax  mef  foTS^^^^^^  tender.  Carriage  drawn  by  two  grays,  mounted  by 
wT'n  white  turbans  and  Turkish  costumes.  Instituted  August  i8,  1784. 
Forty-nine  members  present^  fellow-citizens,  we  hazard  our- 

selves ^Th^  c^any  mad;  J^^c^llm  appearance,  and  showed  con^^^^^^^ 

'nr^'^L' to  led  the  carriages  drawn  by  four  bay 

hor  estX  biaX  in  white  Turkish  dress,  and  ^^lack  driver.     Th^^^^^^ 
bers  were  dressed  in  red,  with  capes  covered  with  red  and  gold.     They  earned 
a  splendid  blue  flag.     Instituted  May  10,  1786. 

14.  Hop.  Hose.     Preceded  by  an  effective  band  SjjJ^^f  ^^,^/^^^^^^^^ 
member  of  which  belonged  to  the  hose  company.    The  hats  were  elegantly 

20 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


' 


painted,  representing  the  figure  of  Hope  on  a  blue  ground,  resting  her  left  arm 
on  an  anchor,  her  right  arm  extended  to  heaven.  The  carriage  is  a  fine  speci- 
men of  the  best  modern  improvements,  combining  elegance  and  strength. 
Seventy-two  members  paraded,  dressed  in  their  imposing  costumes  of  drab 
and  blue.     Instituted  August  17,  1805. 

15.  Assistance  Engine.  Preceded  by  a  small  model  engine,  borne  aloft, 
and  two  axemen.  Motto:  "Our  hearts  are  towards  our  citizens."  In- 
corporated 1789.  Thirty-five  members  present.  The  original  emblem  of 
this  company  is  a  heart  with  gilt  wings  spread  out,  with  the  German  word 
"Bercit"  in  the  centre,  signifying,  "We  will  be  ready  with  all  our  hearts  to 
fly  when  our  assistance  is  wanted."  The  company  originally  consisted 
principally  of  respectable  German  gentlemen.     Instituted  December  28,  1789. 

16.  Columbia  Hose.  May  i,  1806.  The  carriage  was  beautifully  decorated 
with  flowers,  and  in  front  was  borne  the  model  of  a  hose  carriage.  The  members 
were  dressed  in  blue  capes,  the  customary  firemen's  frock  coats,  and  blue  hats 
with  gilt  and  colored  letters  and  devices.     Seventy-three  members  were  in  line. 

17.  America  Engine.  April  10,  1780.  Drawn  by  four  black  horses,  driven 
by  a  man  in  foreman's  dress.  Two  banners  were  carried:  one  of  them  blue, 
with  the  word  "America"  in  a  glory,  and  the  other  displayed  the  American 
eagle  with  the  words,  "Washington  and  Liberty."  The  company  wore  blue 
capes  and  hats,  and  twenty-two  members  marched. 

18.  Southwark  Hose.  The  members  wore  blue  hats,  bearing  the  rising  sun 
and  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  District  of  Southwark.  Their  capes  were  red, 
and  had  the  same  devices  as  were  on  the  hats.  Under  the  Southwark  banner, 
fifty-four  members  marched.     Company  instituted  May  6,  1806. 

19.  Diligent  Engine.  July  4,  1791.  Drawn  by  horses  and  decorated  with  a 
banner  richly  trimmed  with  a  complete  likeness  of  the  late  Patrick  Lyon,  the 
celebrated  engine-maker.  The  firemen  wore  yellow  frock  coats,  blue  panta- 
loons and  yellow  hats.     Fifty-eight  members  marched. 

20.  Washington  Hose.  With  a  magnificent  banner  surmounted  with  a 
rich  and  variegated  nosegay  of  fresh  flowers  "presented  by  the  young  ladies 
of  the  western  part  of  the  city,"  encircling  a  portrait  of  Washington.  In 
front  of  the  carriage  a  very  handsome  view  of  Washington  crossing  the  Dela- 
ware; in  the  rear,  "Instituted  February  22,  1811."  On  the  sides,  portrait  of 
Washington  with  the  motto,  "Pater  Patriae."  The  whole  carriage  was 
dressed  with  ribbons  and  flowers.  The  bells  ringing  as  in  time  of  fire.  Thirty- 
seven  members  were  at  the  ropes,  and  there  were  three  buglers.  Motto: 
"All  private  duties  are  subordinate  to  those  which  we  owe  to  the  public." 

21.  Franklin  Engine.  Jan.  6,  1792.  Drawn  by  four  black  horses,  ridden 
by  four  men  in  Turkish  costume.  The  banner  bore  a  likeness  of  Franklin. 
Members  dressed  in  firemen's  frocks,  black  capes  and  hats  with  gilt  trimmings. 
Thirty  members  out. 

22.  Fame  Hose.  July  I,  1818.  Preceded  by  four  trumpeters.  Banner, 
white  ground,  bearing  the  figure  of  Fame,  surmounted  by  an  eagle,  with  the 
motto,  "Fama  Extenditur  Factis."  Members  wore  firemen's  frocks,  blue 
capes  with  initials  of  members'  names,  and  a  figure  of  Fame,  blue  hats  with 
figure  of  Fame.     Forty-two  members  marched. 

2-^.  Humane  Engine.  March  i,  1794.  Drawn  by  four  bay  horses.  Banner 
and  axemen.  A  second  banner  on  the  carriage  bore  the  inscription — "The 
first  hose  used  in  Philadelphia,  introduced  (by  the  Humane  Fire  Company) 
1795."  Motto  of  the  Humane,  "Spectamus  Agendo."  The  company  claim 
to  be  the  first  Engine  Company  in  Philadelphia  to  introduce,  as  a  part 
of  their  apparatus,  the  hose;  the  piece  exhibited  in  the  procession  being  a  part 
of  the  original  hose  woven  in  Philadelphia,  under  the  direction  of  the  company, 
the  year  named  on  their  banner — eight  years  before  the  establishment  of  the 

21 


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^1 

i>||>>UIIH><»lllll'HIHIII"  1^ 


niiililiiil"n"iii'iiKrii"»iiiii'ii))iij 


, I"  III  iimnun-UK.im MiMM.u.niTTT.ummum> 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

first  Hose  Company.    The  first  hose  used  in  Philadelphia  was  of  leather, 
sewed,  not  riveted,  as  now  (1833)  in  use. 

24.  Diligent  Hose.  With  blue  banners,  dress  red  and  drab,  with  F.  A. 
(Fire  Association)  conspicuous  on  the  front.  Motto:  "Our  impulse  to 
action  is  the  danger  of  our  citizens."  The  banners  of  blue  silk,  fringed,  and 
in  the  centre  a  gilt  star.     Forty-eight  members  turned  out. 

25.  Washington  Engine.  Jan.  3,  1796.  Drawn  by  members.  The  banner 
bore  a  likeness  of  Washington  with  the  inscription:  "Washington  the  Father 
of  our  Country."  The  engine  was  surmounted  by  a  splendid  arch  of  evergreen 
and  flowers  under  which  sat,  much  at  his  ease,  a  little  boy  about  four  years  of 
age,  dressed  as  a  fireman,  holding  a  trumpet  and  occasionally  giving  orders. 
The  members  were  dressed  in  drab  coats,  blue  pantaloons,  blue  capes  and  hats 
with  gilt  inscriptions.     Forty-two  members  marched. 

26.  United  States  Hose.  May  7,  1828.  With  banners,  and  two  American 
flags.  Dressed  in  drab  with  capes  covered  with  a  gilt  eagle.  Thirty-nine 
members  present. 

27.  Friendship  Engine.  August  i,  1796.  Drawn  by  two  gray  horses, 
ridden  by  boys  in  fancy  dress.  These  were  followed  by  a  tender,  drawn  by 
one  gray  horse.  Members  in  citizen's  dress,  with  badges  on  their  hats.  Two 
Turks  in  the  procession  in  full  dress.  A  banner  with  a  figure  of  a  man  extend- 
ing the  right  hand  of  friendship  to  all,  and  the  motto,  "Friendship,  1796." 

28.  Niagara  Hose,  March  28,  1827.  A  rich  blue  carriage  and  uniform. 
The  procession  of  forty-seven  members  followed  by  the  tender.  On  the 
carriage  was  a  fine  view  of  Niagara  Falls  supported  on  one  side  by  the  God 
of  the  Ocean,  and  on  the  other  by  the  God  of  the  Rivers,  with  the  name  of 
the  company  over  the  falls,  and  the  motto,  "Paratus  et  Fidelis."  The  mem- 
bers were  dressed  in  blue  capes,  blue  hats  and  pantaloons  with  gilt  decorations. 

29.  Columbia  Engine.  Drawn  by  two  horses,  led  by  blacks,  and  mounted 
by  two  boys  in  Turkish  dress,  with  green  turbans.  Date  of  institution, 
Sept.  16,  1796.  Twenty-two  members  marched.  The  banners  bore  an  eagle 
and  the  American  standard.  Members  were  dressed  in  firemen's  frocks,  blue 
capes  and  hats,  with  gilt  decorations. 

30.  Northern  Liberty  Hose.  May  7,  1828.  Two  buglers  were  followed  by 
two  pioneers  with  axes.  The  first  banner  represented  the  Genius  of  Liberty 
holding  the  portrait  of  Washington,  and  leaning  against  a  fire  plug,  surmounted 
by  the  American  eagle.  The  second  banner  had  a  white  ground  with  a  gilt 
shield  surrounded  by  a  wreath,  with  the  name  of  the  company,  marshal  and 
assistant  marshals.  The  members  were  dressed  in  drab  coats,  blue  capes, 
with  gilt  eagles,  blue  hats,  having  in  front  a  representation  of  Liberty  and  on 
the  back  a  shield.  The  carriage  bore  on  its  panel  a  splendid  representation 
by  Woodside  of  the  Treaty  of  Ghent.  The  bells  were  ringing  as  when  the 
company  proceeds  to  duty,  and  the  ropes  were  manned  by  sixty-three  members. 
Motto:  "When  duty  calls,  'tis  ours  to  obey." 

31.  Weccacoe  Engine.  May  i,  1800.  This  company  and  the  William  Penn 
excited  unusual  attention  from  the  crowd.  About  a  dozen  Indians  in  blanket 
costume,  from  papooses  to  full-grown  warriors,  preceded  the  members  with 
tomahawks  and  battle  axes,  tiara  of  feathers,  and  ear-rings.  The  carriage 
was  drawn  by  two  grays  and  surmounted  by  flags  and  banners.  Thirty-eight 
members  besides  the  warriors,  who  also  probably  belonged,  but  took  this 
occasion  to  show  the  style  of  dress  of  the  original  inhabitants  of  Weccacoe  in 
Southwark.  On  the  engine  was  a  banner  representing  an  Indian.  This  was 
supported  by  two  lads  dressed  as  Indians.  The  members  were  dressed  in 
frock  coats,  red  capes  and  red  hats  with  gold  trimmings. 

32.  William  Penn  Hose.  June,  1829.  The  banner  bore  a  likeness  of 
William  Penn.     The  company  had  in  advance  a  member  dressed  like  an 

23 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

Indian  of  the  Delaware  tribe,  at  the  left  of  whom  was  a  member  dressed  in  the 
l^d  p°ain  garb  of  William  Penn,  half  ^^^^ed  hat  buckled  w,g  and  drab 
?^t  and  smlU-clothes.  At  Penn's  left  was  another  Friend,  and  next  to  them 
were  two  o'hlrs  in  Friend's  dress.  These. were  foUowed  by  «n  rnen^n  com; 
plete  Indian  costume,  and  four  seamen  with  merchandise  for  The  Treaty 
On  f hp  carriaee  were  two  squaws  wrapped  in  their  blankets.  1  he  mempers 
were  dressed  fn  drab  frock  coats,  blue  capes  and  blue  hats  with  g-^t  devices 
Tnd  letter  ng.  The  bells  of  the  carriage  ringing.  "Like  Penn  we  will  be  usefu 
to  our  counfry."     "Instituted  Feb.,  1820."     On  the  carriage  was  a  picture  of 

^'ircr^W  Itlil"' M'a'rch  ^y,  .80..  Drawn  by  four  large  horses  with 
heids  Whly  decorated.  The  dress  of  this  company  was  very  suitable:  a  cape 
descentog  fror^  the  low  crowned  hat  to  the  cape  of  the  coat  so  that  the 
water  wHl  run  off  immediately.  The  color  of  the  dress,  blue  and  drab.  The 
:„gine  "of  the  compan/displayed  early  in  ^he  morning  numerous  fla^ 
and  devices  stretched  across  Race  Street  below  Broad.     Fifty-two  members 

^"itfndependence  Hose.  July  4,  i83i-  ^^ Wh ''Li?  hTnof  been  ?c- 
seven  feet  high,  dressed  in  a  sheepskin  from  which  the  tail  had  not  been  ac 
cura?ely  cu^  The  first  banner  bore  a  figure  and  the  motto,  L'ght  and 
nber^v  "  The  second  banner,  the  American  eagle,  and  the  motto.  Every 
Ihing  prospers  under  thy  wings."  The  third  banner,  "July  4,  '776^^" 
country's  glory."  Beautiful  emblems  were  on  the  carriage,  which  was 
dressed  in  ffins.  Forty  members  were  at  the  ropes  On  the  carriage  was 
?he  motto:    '^ur  count^  is  our  glory."    The  members  wore  blue  coats, 

T/ l/t'rsr.^  &tnr.9.   .8„.     Drawn  by  two' white  .horses 
wi?h  a  tender  drawn  by  a  white  horse.    The  members  were  dressed  in  drab 
Trock  coats,  green  cape^and  green  hats,  with  gilt  decorations.     Thirty  mem- 

^'TPennilvania  Hose.    August  4,   1831-    The  banner  of   this  company 

was  blue,  and  the  motto: 

"  Fire,  our  watch  word. 
To  extinguish  it  our  aim; 
To  be  useful  our  motto, 
And  Pennsylvania  our  name." 

The  members  were  dressed  in  frock  coats,  blue  capes  and  dark  hats  bearing 

W  twn  Knvs  in  extremely  rich  costumes  of  white  and  red  with  turbans  to 
m^LtcI      These  dresses  wJre  much  admired.     Thirty-three  members  were  on 
^.rlde      The  banner  had  a  beautiful  drawing  of  the  "Good  Samaritan 
^he  member^  were  dressed  in  firemen's  coats,  black  capes  and  black  hats  with 
rich  gilt  ornaments.  Preceded  by  a  banner  with  a  likeness 

oft  pteC  ""Xtto^-Lke  l^a^WeUe'te  will  .assist  in  time  of  need." 
TVl,;nnpr  was  carried  by  three  boys  dressed  with  numerous  nbbons- 
Jmblems"  variou  drvicel  on  the  c'lrriage.  Twenty-one  members  were 
nresenT  They  were  dressed  in  firemen's  frock  coats,  tri-colored  capes  and 
hits  with  a  likeness  of  La  Fayette.    The  carriage  was  ornamented   with   the 

^"rAV  11':  ISn'^Drt^n  V  two  grays,  decorated  with  blue  ribbons. 
The^'equipment  was   new  and   neat.     Nineteen  members  were  on  parade. 

24 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


*4 


i. 


xli 


They  were  dressed  in  drab  frock  coats,  red  capes  and  blue  hats  with  gilt  fire 
plugs  ornamenting  same. 

40.  Southwark  Engine.  Preceded  by  two  trumpeters.  Carriage,  drawn 
by  four  white  horses  on  which  were  mounted  two  boys  in  red  spencers,  gold 
lace,  white  turbans  and  ostrich  plumes.  On  the  gears  of  the  horses  was  the 
motto:  "Southwark  always  ready."  The  members  of  the  company  were 
dressed  in  deep  yellow  with  pantaloons  of  the  same.  Sixty-eight  members 
were  present. 

At  least  sixteen  hundred  men  were  on  parade  in  celebration  of  the 
thirteenth  anniversary  of  the  Fire  Association.  The  procession,  more 
than  a  mile  in  length,  is  said  to  have  been  impressive,  the  members 
marching  more  than  ten  miles.  In  the  afternoon  the  companies  were 
dismissed,  after  which  they  made  preparations  for  the  ball  to  be  given 
that  evening.  "The  large  room,"  said  a  local  reporter,  "of  Musical 
Fund  Hall  was  cleared  for  dancing,  and  by  nine  o'clock  about  four 
hundred  ladies  and  a  proportionate  number  of  gentlemen  had 
assembled,  when  the  dancing  was  commenced.  We  have  never  seen 
the  saloon  look  as  imposing.  The  managers  had  provided  three  large 
chandeliers,  in  addition  to  those  usually  lighted,  and  with  other  addi- 
tions, and  the  attractions  of  the  wit  and  beauty  of  our  city,  and  an 
excellent  band,  the  whole  scene  was  one  of  enchantment. 

"The  banners  and  flags  used  in  the  procession,  having  been  left  by 
the  companies  for  the  use  of  the  ball,  were  very  tastefully  displayed 
round  the  room,  and  added  materially  to  the  interest  of  the  scene. 
The  reflection  naturally  arose,  as  the  mind  embraced  the  coup  cTcsil, 
that  it  was  unaccompanied  with  any  memorials  that  could  cause  a 
single  regret.  The  banners  told  of  no  blood-stained  battlefield;  they 
recalled  the  feelings  naturally  engendered  by  the  peaceful  nature  of 
the  celebration,  and  we  are  very  sure  that,  though  many  must  have 
gone  home  greatly  fatigued,  few  pressed  their  pillows  without  feeling 
gratification  and  pleasure  from  the  events  of  the  day." 

Probably  had  any  fireman  on  this  anniversary  been  asked  to  drink 
the  toast  proposed  by  the  Resolution  Fire  Company  at  the  time  of 
the  incorporation  of  the  Fire  Association,  he  would  have  put  every 
vestige  of  ill  feeling  and  jealousy  aside  and  would  have  raised  his  glass 
to  the  old  toast,  which  follows: — 

"The  Fire  Companies  of  Philadelphia:  Philadelphia,  in  search 
of  public  good,  like  the  Phcenix  rising  from  the  ashes,  with  a  noble 
Resolution  to  give  Relief  and  Assistance  to  any  Humane  and  Charitable 
citizens,  with  the  Amicable  view  of  Harmony,  Fellowship  and  Good 
Will  to  see  all  around;  whilst  Union  and  Friendship  claim  a  Reliance 
upon  the  Vigilant,  from  the  Northern  Liberties  to  Southwark,  the 
Sons  of  Columbia  cheered  by  the  Sons  of  Hibernia  look  with  pleasing 
Hope  to  see  the  name  of  Venerable  Franklin  rise  once  more;  and  as 
old  Neptune  rolls  its  billows  upon  the  Delaware  with  Good  Intent^ 
supplying  us  with  streams  superior  to  the  Niagara,  Fame  sounds  our 
name  like  that  of  Washington  through  the  United  States  and  Pennsyl- 
vania marks  us  for  her  own." 


25 


Celebration 
of  the 
thirteenth 
anniversary 


Display  at 
the  ball 


Toast  of  the 
Resolution 
Fire 
Company 


prosperity 

of  the  Fire 

Association 

in  1 8 so 


Report  of 

Board  of 

Trustees 


Association 

creates 

contingent 

fund 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

THE  GREAT  FIRE  OF  1850.    THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION  PAYS 
OUT  IN  LOSSES  ITS  ENTIRE  SURPLUS   FUND 

Records  show  that  the  Fire  Association  prospered,  though  up  to 
1850  its  surplus  fund  had  reached  only  the  $100,000  mark.  Fire 
losses  had  not  been  large.  Of  the  $240,000  loss  sustained  by  Phila- 
delphia in  1839,  the  Association  paid  $3,000,  and  that  on  Policy  No. 
1 138,  issued  on  the  fire-proof  store  of  Henry  White  on  the  east  side  of 
South  Water  Street.  "On  motion  the  President  and  Secretary  were 
directed  to  inform  Mr.  White  that  the  destruction  of  his  building  was 
considered  a  total  loss,  and  that  the  full  amount  of  the  insurance 
thereon  would  be  paid  in  a  short  time."  At  the  same  meeting  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  Fire  Association  it  was  resolved  that  "  the  President 
and  Treasurer  be  authorized  and  empowered  to  raise  upon  the  credit 
of  the  Association  the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  in  such  way  and 
manner  as  they  may  deem  expedient."  ^ 

On  the  14th  of  January,  1850,  the  affairs  of  the  Fire  Association 
were  reported  to  be  in  a  favorable  condition,  as  the  following  report 
will  show.     It  will  be  noted  likewise  that  the  volunteer  fire  companies 
were  still  at  odds  with  one  another.     The  following  preamble  was 
offered  by  Mr.  Hamilton,  and  a  copy  of  it  was  despatched  to  the 
Board  of  Delegates:  "The  Board  of  Trustees  are  gratified  in  pre- 
senting to  the  Board  of  Delegates  so  favorable  a  report  of  operations 
during  the  past  year,  and  this  they  trust  is  a  harbinger  of  future 
success.     The  steady  increase  in  the  business  of  the  Association  is 
evidence  that  it  continues  to  gain  in  public  confidence,  which,  all 
circumstances  considered,  it  has  enjoyed  to  an  extraordinary  extent. 
Prosperous,  however,  as  is  the  Association,  it  would  be  yet  more  so, 
were  it  not  for  the  unhappy  dissensions  which  have  and  still  continue 
to  exist  between  many  of  the  Fire  Companies,  which  result  not  only  in 
consequences  disastrous  to  the  character  of  those  concerned,  as  well 
as  to  the  support  of  many  citizens,  who  in  the  absence  of  these  dis- 
reputable proceedings  would  have  manifested  an  interest  in  its  welfare. 
"The  Board  of  Trustees  have  no  disposition  to  interfere  in  matters 
which  are  exclusively  under  the  control  of  the  Board  of  Delegates, 
namely  the  government  of  the  companies  composing  the  Association, 
but  they  conceive  it  to  be  their  duty  to  apprise  the  Board  of  Delegates 
of  these  facts,  bearing  as  they  believe  they  do  upon  the  best  interests 
of  the  Association.  . 

"The  Association  commands  the  respect  of  the  community,  and 
has  assumed  an  importance  as  an  insurance  company  which  should 
induce  all  the  companies  connected  with  it  to  prize  and  regard  its 
reputation,  and  so  to  act  as  to  commend  the  institution  to  public 
favor,  and  thus  aid  those  to  whom  the  Board  of  Delegates  may  en- 
trust'its  management  to  conduct  its  affairs  to  a  successful  issue. 

By  an  Act  of  March  22,  1845,  the  Association  had  been  authorized 
to  create  a  contingent  fund,  not  to  exceed  $10,000,  and  by  another  of 
January  26,  1849,  they  were  authorized  to  deduct  arrears  of  interest, 
also  fines  and  penalties  from  the  dividends  to  any  of  the  companies 
owing  the  same. 

26 


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INTENTIONAL  SECOND  EXPOSURE  5 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF     PHILADELPHIA 


THE  GRKXV  1-lRK  OF  18^0.     riw:  F!RK  ASSOCLVFIOX  PAYS 
Oir    IX    LOSSES    nS    I^N^1RF    SURPLUS    FUND 

Records  show  that  the  Fire  Association  prospered,  though  up  to 
1850  its  surplus  fund  had  reached  only  the  $100,000  mark.  Fire 
losses  had  not  been  large.  Of  the  $240,000  loss  sustained  by  Phila- 
delphia in  1839,  the  Association  paid  $3,000,  and  that  on  Policy  No. 
1 138,  issued  on  the  fire-proof  store  of  Henry  White  on  the  east  side  of 
South  Water  Street.  "On  motion  the  President  and  Secretary  were 
directed  to  inform  Mr.  White  that  the  destruction  of  his  building  was 
considered  a  total  loss,  and  that  the  full  amount  of  the  insurance 
thereon  would  be  paid  in  a  short  time."  At  the  same  meeting  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  Fire  Association  it  was  resolved  that  "  the  President 
and  Treasurer  be  authorized  and  empowered  to  raise^  upon  the  credit 
of  the  Association  the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  in  such  way  and 
manner  as  they  may  deem  expedient."  ^ 

On  the  14th  of  January,  1850,  the  affairs  of  the  Fire  Association 
were  reported  to  be  in  a  favorable  condition,  as  the  following  report 
will  show.  It  will  be  noted  likewise  that  the  volunteer  fire  companies 
were  still  at  odds  with  one  another.  The  following  preamble  was 
offered  by  Mr.  Hamilton,  and  a  copy  of  it  was  despatched  to  the 
Board  of  Delegates:  "The  Board  of  Trustees  are  gratified  in  pre- 
senting to  the  Board  of  Delegates  so  favorable  a  report  of  operations 
during  the  past  year,  and  this  they  trust  is  a  harbinger  of  future 
success.  The  steady  increase  in  the  business  of  the  Association  is 
evidence  that  it  continues  to  gain  in  public  confidence,  which,  all 
circumstances  considered,  it  has  enjoyed  to  an  extraordinary  extent. 
Prosperous,  however,  as  is  the  Association,  it  would  be  yet  more  so, 
were  it  not  for  the  unhappy  dissensions  which  have  and  still  continue 
to  exist  between  many  of  the  Fire  Companies,  which  result  not  only  in 
consequences  disastrous  to  the  character  of  those  concerned,  as  well 
as  to  the  support  of  many  citizens,  who  in  the  absence  of  these  dis- 
reputable proceedings  would  have  manifested  an  interest  in  its  welfare. 

"The  Board  of  Trustees  have  no  disposition  to  interfere  in  matters 
which  are  exclusively  under  the  control  of  the  Board  of  Delegates, 
namely  the  government  of  the  companies  composing  the  Association, 
but  they  conceive  it  to  be  their  duty  to  apprise  the  Board  of  E)elegates 
of  these  facts,  bearing  as  they  believe  they  do  upon  the  best  interests 

of  the  Association.  . 

"The  Association  commands  the  respect  of  the  community,  and 
has  assumed  an  importance  as  an  insurance  company  which  should 
induce  all  the  companies  connected  with  it  to  prize  and  regard  its 
reputation,  and  so  to  act  as  to  commend  the  institution  to  public 
favor,  and  thus  aid  those  to  whom  the  Board  of  Delegates  may  en- 
trust'its  management  to  conduct  its  affairs  to  a  successful  issue." 

By  an  Act  of  March  22,  1845,  the  Association  had  been  authorized 

to  create  a  contingent  fund,  not  to  exceed  $10,000,  and  by  another  of 

January  26,  1849,  they  were  authorized  to  deduct  arrears  of  interest, 

/    also  fines  and  penalties  from  the  dividends  to  any  of  the  companies 

owing  the  same. 

26 


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^ 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


Great  fire 
of  1850 


Prompt 
payment 
of  losses 


Bali  more 

and  San 

Francisco 

losses 

promptly 
paid 


The  affairs  of  the  Fire  Association  at  the  beginning  of  this  eventful 
1850  had  been  reported  prosperous,  yet  less  than  six  months  were  to 
elapse  when  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  to  gather  and  plan  how  it 
might  meet  the  great  drain  that  was  to  exhaust  its  resources.  The 
"great  fire"  broke  out  at  4.30  p.m.,  July  9,  1850,  in  the  store  of  Gordon 
&  Berger,  at  139  on  the  east  side  of  Water  Street,  a  few  doors  below 
Vine  Street.  The  firemen  fought  the  flames  until  an  explosion  of 
saltpetre  in  the  warehouse  of  John  Brock,  the  owner  of  the  building 
in  which  the  fire  started,  burst  its  walls  and  hurled  fragments  to  some 
distance.  The  explosion  caused  the  death  of  many  persons,  including 
a  number  of  firemen;  and  men  and  women,  who  in  their  excitement 
jumped  into  the  river,  were  injured.  The  flames  spread  rapidly, 
and,  when  night  fell,  the  glow  illumined  the  country  for  many  miles, 
and  was  plainly  visible  as  far  away  as  Trenton,  New  Jersey.  The 
shock  of  the  explosion  had  been  felt  in  Wilmington,  Delaware.  The 
progress  of  the  fire  was  checked  at  3  a.m.,  July  10,  and  the  area  de- 
stroyed extended  from  the  Delaware  River  on  the  east  to  Second 
Street  on  the  west,  and  from  Callowhill  Street  on  the  north  to  New 
Street  on  the  south.  This  was  the  largest  flame-swept  area  up  to  1850 
that  Philadelphia  had  seen.  Three  hundred  and  sixty-seven  buildings 
with  their  contents  were  destroyed,  and  the  loss  of  life  was  estimated 
at  from  seventeen  to  thirty-three  persons,  with  upward  of  one  hun- 
dred wounded,  and  a  total  property  loss  of  $1,500,000. 

The  Fire  Association  at  its  special  meeting  held  July  10— the  day 
following  the  fire — found  that  its  accumulations  of  a  third  of  a  century's 
existence  had  been  swept  away.  The  Trustees  of  the  Association 
did  a  notable  thing  at  that  meeting,  and  the  result  of  their  action  was 
that,  before  the  debris  of  the  fire  had  been  removed,  Trustees  George 
W.  Tryon,  Warner,  Esler,  Keyser,  Reith,  Hamilton,  Tomkins,  Ogden, 
Souder,  Forepaugh,  and  Taylor  met  and  issued  a  joint  note  made, 
payable  to  the  order  of  their  treasurer,  and  upon  this  personal  liability 
obtained  from  the  Western  Bank  money  to  meet  their  losses  promptly. 
In  the  mean  time  they  converted  into  cash  the  assets  of  the  Association. 
The  losses  paid  amounted  approximately  to  $100,000.  So  promptly 
were  the  losses  covered  that  the  interest  and  sympathy  of  the  public 
were  aroused,  and  what  seemed  to  the  members  of  the  Association  an 
overwhelming  catastrophe  turned  out  to  be  an  advantage;  for  the 
entire  amount  and  more  of  these  accumulations  of  a  third  of  a 
century  were  made  up  through  the  increase  in  business  of  the  Asso- 
ciation in  the  next  four  years.  The  Fire  Association  has  participated 
in  the  payment  of  losses  in  all  the  great  fires  since  187 1,  when  it  began 
to  do  business  outside  of  Philadelphia. 

After  the  great  fire  of  Baltimore,  in  1904,  the  Association  paid 
promptly  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  holders  of  its  policies 
$309,000;  and  in  the  San  Francisco  fire  of  1906  the  losses  covered 
amounted  to  $1,835,930.  The  payment  of  these  losses,  great  ^s 
they  were,  was  as  promptly  and  satisfactorily  made  by  the  Fire 
Association.  J, 


< 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

THE  LAST  FIREMEN'S  PARADE  AND  THE  DISBANDING 
OF   THE   VOLUNTEER    FIRE    DEPARTMENT 

"The  last  firemen's  parade!"  said  George  W.  Fox,  grandson  of 
Michael  Fox,  the  first  president  of  the  Fire  Association.  "I  remem- 
ber it  as  if  it  were  yesterday.  At  the  time  when  preparations  were 
being  made  for  it,  I  was  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Pennsylvania  at 
work,  and  I  gave  up  my  work  there  and  came  back  to  parade  with  my 
company, — the  Lincoln  Hose  Company.  This  company  was  originally 
the  United  States  Hose,  organized  June  5,  1855;  but  on  Lincoln's 
death,  the  members  of  this  organization  being  Republicans,  the  name 
of  the  Hose  Company  was  changed  from  the  United  States  to  Lincoln. 
Yes,  I  was  a  fireman.  My  father,  Joseph  L.  Fox,  was  a  fireman,  and 
my  grandfather,  Michael  Fox,  was  a  fireman.  I  remember  father's 
saying  that  Michael  and  his  brother  Samuel  didn't  agree  on  the  Fire 
Association  question.  Michael  was  a  brickmaker,  and  one  of  his 
yards  was  at  Seventeenth  and  Federal  Streets.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Diligent  Engine  Company  and  a  crony  of  Stephen  Girard's. 
Samuel  Fox  had  considerable  to  say  about  his  brother  putting  money 
into  the  Fire  Association.  He  was  a  rich  man  for  his  time,  was 
Michael,  and  he  was  worth  probably  $200,000." 

The  last  firemen's  parade  took  place  on  October  17,  1865.  The  one  Description 
hundred  and  twenty  companies  that  were  to  participate  in  the  parade  of  the  last 
.were  several  weeks  making  elaborate  preparations  for  the  day.  Steam-  firemen's 
ers  and  hose-carriages,  trucks,  ladders,  and  ambulances  were  over-  parade 
hauled,  painted,  and  redecorated.  The  Saturday  and  Sunday  preced-  ^w  ^865 
ing  the  parade  brought  throngs  to  Philadelphia.  A  man  from  Balti- 
more asserted  that  half  of  his  city  had  come  to  see  the  firemen  of 
Philadelphia  march.  At  ten  minutes  after  ten  o'clock  the  procession, 
seven  miles  in  length,  set  out.  Seven  mounted  policemen  led  the 
line,  and  they  were  followed  by  Chief  Marshal  Henry  B.  Bobb,  his 
aides,  Chief  Engineer  Lyle,  and  the  assistant  engineers.  The  Hibernia 
Engine  Company  was  the  first  in  line.  Among  the  companies  which 
attracted  particular  attention  was  the  Phoenix  Hose,  led  by  Marshall 
Garrigues.  The  carriage  of  this  company  had  been  painted  a  Paris 
green,  striped  with  gold;  and  the  iron-work  was  highly  polished.  The 
Pennsylvania  Hose  Company  was  marshalled  by  William  A.  Sherman. 
The  carriage  attracted  much  attention,  its  running  gear  being  of  yel- 
low polished  hickory,  full  carved,  and  the  bell  gallows  ornamented 
with  a  gorgeous  colored  lamp.  In  the  morning  a  handsome  flag  and 
several  wreaths  had  been  presented  to  this  company.  George  W. 
Hays  was  marshal  of  the  Fairmount  Fire  Company,  and  a  large  force 
of  pioneers,  torchmen,  and  pipemen  followed  him.  The  apparatus — 
red,  striped  with  gold  and  white — was  loaded  with  flowers  and  wreaths. 
An  unusual  display  of  silver  fire-horns  was  carried  by  the  members; 
and  one  of  these  horns  was  of  solid  silver, — the  gift  of  the  ladies  of  the 
Grant  House.  Several  large  silk  flags  and  a  wreath  five  feet  in  diam- 
eter with  a  star  in  the  centre  added  to  the  display.  The  United  States 
Fire  Company,  led  by  James  Baine,  Jr.,  paraded  with  steamer,  hose- 
carriage,  and  ambulance.     Both  the  ambulance  and  steamer  were 


28 


29 


Epochal 
dates  in  the 
history  of  the 
Volunteer 
Fire  Depart- 
ment 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


City  Council 

establishes 

a  paid  fire 

department 


The  fine  type  reads  as  follows:   Heights  reached  by  the  streams  of  the  Engine  at  a  trial  of  power  over  Dr. 
D.  Jayne's  Building  May  22,  1852.     Single  stream  to  height  of  196  feet  6  in.  thro.  in.  nozzle.     2  side  stream 
to  height  of  15s  feet  thro.  K  inch  nozzle.    4  streams  2  side  and  2  gallery  134  feet,  thro.  K  nozzle.     Built  by 
Patrick  Lyon,  1820.    Rebuilt  by  Jno.  Agnew,  18 — .     Committee  appointed  by  the  Co.  to  decide:  P .  C .  Elltnaker 
Phanix  Hose  Co.    S.  A.  Balliers,  Empire  H.  &  L.    E.  Sratton,  Harmony  Fire  Co.  ' 

drawn  by  four  bay  horses.  The  hose-carriage,  decorated  with  French 
green,  striped  with  gold  and  white,  was  much  admired.  Joseph 
Tripler,  then  the  oldest  fireman  in  Philadelphia  and  for  many  years 
as  great  a  celebrity  as  Grimes  of  lyric  fame,  marched  with  the  United 
States.  A  white  cat  with  a  ring  tail,  marked  with  black  letters  U.S., 
excited  much  interest.  This  cat  maintained  its  perch  on  the  hose- 
carriage. 

That  evening  at  seven  o'clock  the  last  of  the  one  hundred  and 
twenty  companies  in  line  passed  Third  and  Chestnut  Streets.  There 
have  been  two  significant  dates  in  the  history  of  the  Volunteer  Fire 
Department  of  Philadelphia.  The  first,  already  recorded,  was  1832, 
when  the  first  general  parade  of  firemen  took  place  in  honor  of  the 
centennial  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Washington.  The  second  was 
October  17,  1865,  when  the  last  parade  of  the  Volunteer  Fire  Depart- 
ment passed  through  the  streets  they  had  so  many  times  traversed  in 
response  to  the  alarm  of  fire. 

Less  than  six  years  after  the  last  firemen's  parade  the  Volunteer 
Fire  Department  was  disbanded  by  order  of  the  City  Council,  and 
a  paid  fire  department  installed.  Thus  was  added  another  chapter  of 
exceeding  interest  to  the  history  of  the  Fire  Association.     The  action 

30 


>l  4 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

of  the  City  Council  was  taken  up  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion and  the  following  report  submitted : — 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  to  confer  with  the  committee 
ot  the  board  of  Delegates  m  reference  to  the  changes  necessary  to  be  made  in 
the  attairs  of  the  Fire  Association  in  consequence  of  the  creation  of  a  Paid 
^  ire  Department  would  respectfully  report:  That  they  met  the  committee  from 
the  board  of  Delegates  on  Thursday  evening,  December  15,  1870,  when  the 
joint  committee  organized  by  the  appointment  of  Andrew  J.  Baker,  Esq., 
as  chairman  and  James  S.  Hallowell,  Esq.,  as  secretary.  After  a  general 
discussion  of  the  subject  it  was  unanimously  decided  to  continue  the  Associa- 
tion as  a  Stock  Company.  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Baker,  chairman  of  the  committee 
ot  the  Board  of  Delegates,  and  George  S.  Young,  Esq.,  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  with  Mr.  W.  H.  Hamilton,  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  were  appointed  a  sub-committee  to  prepare  a  suitable 
charter  for  the  Association,  and  after  submitting  it  to  our  solicitor,  Charles  E. 
Lex,  Esq.  to  report  to  the  general  committee.  The  charter  was  submitted 
on  December  29,  1870,  to  the  general  committee,  and  after  mutual  deliberation 
by  them  was  unanimously  approved.  The  Charter  is  herewith  submitted 
for  your  consideration,  and  we  have  no  hesitation  in  commending  it  for  your 
approval.  Yours  respectfully, 

George  S.  Young        1  ^ 
Mahon  H.  Dickinson  I  Committee. 
January  6,  1871.  ' 

The  Fire  Association,  after  it  had  recovered  from  the  losses  of  1850 
had  assets  amounting  to  $537,589,  and,  even  with  the  annual  fire 
losses  throughout  the  United  States  increasing  at  a  tremendous  rate, 
was  realizing  a  good  profit  on  underwriting  and  investments.  Accord- 
ingly, a  restriction  was  placed  on  the  dividends  paid  by  the  Associa- 
tion to  the  fire  companies,  limiting  the  dividends  to  30  per  cent,  "of 
n  i?*Tm-^^  ^"^  income  until  the  permanent  capital  stock  (surplus  over 
all  liabilities)  shall  have  reached  $200,000."  The  assets  of  the  Asso- 
ciation at  the  close  of  the  year  i860  had  accumulated  to  $700,400.26. 
The  following  January  the  Board  of  Trustees  declared  a  dividend  of 
$640  to  each  of  the  forty-seven  fire  companies  belonging  to  the  Asso- 
ciation. These  dividends  were  in  accordance  with  the  30  per  cent, 
profit  division  provided  for  in  the  Supplementary  Act  of  April  22, 
1856.  About  $150,000  of  the  permanent  capital  stock  of  $200,000 
had  been  gathered.  In  1867  the  capital  had  amounted  to  more  than 
$1,000,000,  and  that  year  a  dividend  of  $400  each  to  the  fire  companies 
belonging  to  the  Association  was  declared. 

The  Fire  Association,  on  the  disbandment  of  the  Volunteer  Fire 
Department,  voted  to  deliver  to  each  of  these  companies  its  share  in 
the  assets  of  the  Association.  A  charter  was  obtained  from  the 
legislature  and  approved  May  5,  1871,  converting  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion into  a  joint-stock  company  with  a  capital  of  $500,000,  divided 
into  10,000  shares,  the  par  value  of  each  share  being  $50.  To  each 
fire  company  belonging  to  the  Association  208  shares  were  given,  and 
these  shares  were  distributed  pro  rata  among  the  members.  The 
remaining  sixteen  shares  were  purchased  by  the  Association.  It  is 
an  interesting  and  possibly  a  regretted  fact  that  many  of  the  mem- 

31 


Recovery 
from  the 
losses  of 
1850 


Fire 

Association 
becomes 
joint  stock 
company 


t  m^ 


i  INTENTIONAL  SECOND  EXPOSURE 


.^.^^..A^  -J. 

..,..., 

,..,.. 

--F<l»?fe>; 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF     PHILADELPHIA 


^u»UHW»wuw<uHi^^T^w'»u<'''H»»»M»MuiwMM»i<u'MUM\^w<v»iiiii»>;y^/rfrffy^f/wf*'>>v/v/^/^^^/v-'/^,>^^^^^^>iM>ww>w>^>wwi;>| 


IDHjIlijiirri'  'iTiOi  'UririHTii 


i.vsriTiTi  ii.iri.Y  1  iriii. 


i.\«  (iiUMir.  VI  I'll  Ai'i'.i  II,  lici 


;a  >  J .    ■    •  •. 


'■'-•■-.■  -■' ;'..■■  ■     ,        ■  ■■■■■.'       -.1     .'■       .-.,..,/  /.■/,..,.,^:'  •./'^..fj.,:/.:.,   y:/:-,    I/;.'  s/.'   :f, 

t"m-n..tu.  ,^^^>iii>ti^^>^t\ ^)«•t'^Ul1u•\u^t• 


h\fUttf.*  i 


THE  OLD   DILIGENT  FIRE  ENGINE 


da! 


■\  I! 


hi: 


The  fine  type  reads  as  follows:  Heights  reached  by  the  streams  of  the  Engine  at  a  trial  of  power  over  Dr. 
D.  Jayne's  Building  May  22,  1852.  Single  stream  to  height  of  iq6  feet  6  in.  thro.  in.  nozzle.  2  side  stream 
to  height  of  15$  feet  thro.  H  inch  nozzle.  4  streams  2  side  and  2  gallery  134  feet,  thro.  K  nozzle.  Built  by 
Patrick  Lyon,  1820.  Rebuilt  by  Jno.  Agnew,  18 — .  Committee  appointed  by  the  Co.  to  decide:  P.  C.  Ellmaker, 
Phccnix  Hose  Co.     S.  A .  Balliers,  Empire  II.  &•  L.     E.  Sratton,  Harmony  Fire  Co. 

drawn  by  four  bay  horses.  The  hose-carriage,  decorated  with  French 
green,  striped  with  gold  and  white,  was  much  admired.  Joseph 
Tripler,  then  the  oldest  fireman  in  Philadelphia  and  for  many  years 
as  great  a  celebrity  as  Grimes  of  lyric  fame,  marched  with  the  United 
States.  A  white  cat  with  a  ring  tail,  marked  with  black  letters  U.S., 
excited  much  interest.  This  cat  maintained  its  perch  on  the  hose- 
carriage. 
I.!' chill  That  evening  at  seven  o'clock  the  last  of  the  one  hundred  and 
twenty  companies  in  line  passed  Third  and  Chestnut  Streets.  There 
have  been  two  significant  dates  in  the  history  of  the  Volunteer  Fire 
Department  of  Philadelphia.  The  first,  already  recorded,  was  1832, 
when  the  first  general  parade  of  firemen  took  place  in  honor  of  the 
centennial  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Washington.  The  second  was 
October  17,  1865,  when  the  last  parade  of  the  Volunteer  Fire  Depart- 
ment passed  through  the  streets  they  had  so  many  times  traversed  in 
response  to  the  alarm  of  fire. 

Less  than  six  years  after  the  last  firemen's  parade  the  Volunteer 
Fire  Department  was  disbanded  by  order  of  the  City  Council,  and 
a  paid  fire  department  installed.  Thus  was  added  another  chapter  of 
exceeding  interest  to  the  history  of  the  Fire  Association.     The  action 

30 


!)■■ 


Ic'cT 

^art- 
meiit 


'''f 


•'< 


i         k 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

of  the  City  Council  was  taken  up  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion and  the  following  report  submitted : — 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  to  confer  with  the  committee 
of  the  Board  of  Delegates  in  reference  to  the  changes  necessary  to  be  made  in 
the  affairs  of  the  Fire  Association  in  consequence  of  the  creation  of  a  Paid 
Fire  Department  would  respectfully  report:  That  they  met  the  committee  from 
the  Board  of  Delegates  on  Thursday  evening,  December  15,  1870,  when  the 
joint  committee  organized  by  the  appointment  of  Andrew  J.  Baker,  Esq., 
as  chairman  and  James  S.  Hallowell,  Esq.,  as  secretary.  After  a  general 
discussion  of  the  subject  it  was  unanimously  decided  to  continue  the  Associa- 
tion as  a  Stock  Company.  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Baker,  chairman  of  the  committee 
of  the  Board  of  Delegates,  and  George  S.  Young,  Esq.,  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  with  Mr.  W.  H.  Hamilton,  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  were  appointed  a  sub-committee  to  prepare  a  suitable 
charter  for  the  Association,  and  after  submitting  it  to  our  solicitor,  Charles  E. 
Lex,  Esq.,  to  report  to  the  general  committee.  The  charter  was  submitted 
on  December  29,  1870,  to  the  general  committee,  and  after  mutual  deliberation 
by  them  was  unanimously  approved.  The  Charter  is  herewith  submitted 
for  your  consideration,  and  we  have  no  hesitation  in  commending  it  for  your 
approval.  Yours  respectfully, 


January  6,  1871. 


George  S.  Young 
Mahon  H.  Dickinson 


Committee. 


The  Fire  Association,  after  it  had  recovered  from  the  losses  of  1850, 
had  assets  amounting  to  $537,589,  and,  even  with  the  annual  fire 
losses  throughout  the  United  States  increasing  at  a  tremendous  rate, 
was  realizing  a  good  profit  on  underwriting  and  investments.  Accord- 
ingly, a  restriction  was  placed  on  the  dividends  paid  by  the  Associa- 
tion to  the  fire  companies,  limiting  the  dividends  to  30  per  cent,  "of 
the  profits  and  income  until  the  permanent  capital  stock  (surplus  over 
all  liabilities)  shall  have  reached  $200,000."  The  assets  of  the  Asso- 
ciation at  the  close  of  the  year  i860  had  accumulated  to  $700,400.26. 
The  following  January  the  Board  of  Trustees  declared  a  dividend  of 
$640  to  each  of  the  forty-seven  fire  companies  belonging  to  the  Asso- 
ciation. ^  These  dividends  were  in  accordance  with  the  30  per  cent, 
profit  division  provided  for  in  the  Supplementary  Act  of  April  22, 
1856.  About  $150,000  of  the  permanent  capital  stock  of  $200,000 
had  been  gathered.  In  1867  the  capital  had  amounted  to  more  than 
$1,000,000,  and  that  year  a  dividend  of  $400  each  to  the  fire  companies 
belonging  to  the  Association  was  declared. 

The  Fire  Association,  on  the  disbandment  of  the  Volunteer  Fire 
Department,  voted  to  deliver  to  each  of  these  companies  its  share  in 
the  assets  of  the  Association.  A  charter  was  obtained  from  the 
legislature  and  approved  May  5,  1871,  converting  the  Fire  Associa- 
tion into  a  joint-stock  company  with  a  capital  of  $500,000,  divided 
into  10,000  shares,  the  par  value  of  each  share  being  $50.  To  each 
fire  company  belonging  to  the  Association  208  shares  were  given,  and 
these  shares  were  distributed  pro  rata  among  the  members.  The 
remaining  sixteen  shares  were  purchased  by  the  Association.  It  is 
an  interesting  and  possibly  a  regretted  fact  that  many  of  the  mem- 

31 


Re 

*'r(, 


Co: 


■cry 


^^\'^o 


r 


i>\ 


wmm 


^■■mi 


Assets  and 

officers  of 

the  Fire 

Association 

when  it 

became  a 

stock 

company 


Supplement 

to  the 

charter^ 

and  increase 

in  capital 

stock 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

bers  of  the  fire  companies  hastened  to  dispose  of  their  shares  of  stock. 
Some  sold  them  for  $35,  others  for  $30,  and  an  instance  occurred  where 
a  share  of  stock  was  disposed  of  for  $25,  the  disposer  claiming  that 
that  sum  was  all  a  share  in  the  Fire  Association  was  worth.  On  the 
other  hand,  many  of  the  shares  to-day  are  held  by  members  or  the 
descendants  of  members  of  the  old  Volunteer  Fire  Department,  who 
draw  a  dividend  on  shares  of  stock  that  have  increased  almost  fifteen 
times  the  lowest  figure  a  share  was  sold  for  four  decades  ago. 

The  assets  of  the  Fire  Association  at  the  time  it  became  a  stock 
company  were  ^1,705,309.07.  At  the  first  election  under  the  new 
organization  four  of  the  old  trustees  and  nine  stockholders,  previously 
having  no  connection  with  the  Fire  Association,  were  elected  directors. 
William  T.  Butler,  for  many  years  the  secretary,  was  made  president; 
Robert  Shoemaker,  vice-president;  and  Jacob  H.  Lex,  secretary. 
The  great  Chicago  fire  of  1872  gave  the  Fire  Association  a  fresh  field 
in  which  to  work,  and  an  agency  system  was  started.  The  half- 
century  policy  of  the  Fire  Association  was  thus  changed,  and  the  field 
of  general  insurance  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  was  entered  upon 
with  favorable  and  well-merited  results. 

A  supplement  was  procured  to  the  charter  of  1833,  and  this  supple- 
ment was  approved  May  5,  1871.  From  July,  1871,  to  July,  1873, 
each  stockholder  received  five  dollars  a  share  semi-annually.  From 
January  to  July,  1874,  six  dollars  a  share  was  received.  From  Jan- 
uary, 1876,  and  afterward,  ten  dollars  a  share  has  been  received;  and 
this  sum,  as  previously,  has  been  paid  semi-annually. 

In  1906  the  Fire  Association  increased  its  capital  stock  from  $500,000 
to  $750,000. 

THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF  TO-DAY 

The  Fire  Association  issues  a  policy,  on  an  average,  every  minute, 
counting  six  hours  to  the  working-day.  The  receipts  average  $13,000 
a  day,  and  the  Association  does  a  business  of  $4,000,000  a  year.  A 
surplus  of  more  than  $3,000,000  is  available.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
stockholders  on  March  12,  191 7,  the  capital  stock  was  increased  from 
$750,000  to  $1,000,000.  The  various  meetings  held  by  the  stock- 
holders to  consider  the  increase  of  capital  during  the  century  of  the 
Association's  existence  as  an  insurance  company  are  interesting 
occasions;  and  it  has  been  fortunate  for  the  organization  that  these 
men,  who  have  taken  upon  their  shoulders  the  responsibilities  assigned 
them,  have  been  men  of  keen  foresight  and  intelligence. 
Causes  oj  In  1856 — six  years  after  the  great  fire — the  affairs  of  the  Association 
grozvth  of  were  reviewed  by  one  of  its  members.  "Coming  into  existence," 
the  Fire  j^g  said,  "as  an  insurance  company  without  the  advantages  of  real 
capital,  the  Association  claimed  the  support  of  the  community  only 
by  their  ability  in  the  use  of  apparatus  to  prevent  losses  by  fire,  and 
by  the  assurance  that  the  institution  would  be  directly  managed,  an 
assurance  justified  in  the  appointment  of  trusty  and  capable  citizens 
as  Trustees  to  whom  was  committed  the  administration  of  the  affairs 
of  the  corporation. 

32 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


Association 


t 


The  Board  of  Delegates  by  whom  the  original  charter  was  framed,    Wise 
havmg  m  view  the  establishment  of  the  institution  upon  a  permanent    precaution 
basis,  and  desirous  to  offer  to  its  friends  a  substantial  security  for  the    oi  the 
formation  of  what  was  then  deemed  a  sufficient  capital  amounting  to    ^oard  of 
$50,000,  but  which  was  subsequently  increased  to  $100,000,  wisely    J^^^^ates 
postponed  the  distribution  of  the  funds  of  the  Association  until  its 
full  capital  was  attained.     The  efforts  of  the  Delegates  to  place  the 
institution  in  a  position  of  security  did  not  rest  here,  as  will  be  seen 
from  the  fact,  that  so  anxious  were  they  for  the  future  welfare  of  the 
Association,  so  well  were  they  convinced  that  in  order  to  [insure]  its 
safety  it  was  indispensably  necessary  that  its  means  should  increase 
in  correspondence  to  its  liabilities,  that  they  made  provision  that  the 
interest  only  on  the  entire  capital  should  be  divided  amongst  the 
companies  composing  the  Association,  leaving  the  whole  proceeds  from 
annual  insurances  to  go  to  strengthen  the  real  capital.     To  this  wise 
precaution  of  the  Board  of  Delegates,  to  the  unity  of  sentiment  that  pre- 
vailed between  the  Delegates  and  Trustees  in  their  joint  determination 
to  make  every  other  consideration  bend  to  that  which  looked  to  the 
future  of  the  Association,  we  no  doubt  owe  its  existence  at  the  present 
moment.     We  cannot  omit  here  to  record  and  commend  the  actions  of 
those  who  in  the  early  stages  of  our  history  as  an  institution  sternly 
and  steadily  resisted  every  movement  having  for  its  object  immediate 
gain  at  the  hazard  of  periling  the  future  existence  of  the  Association. 

33 


Payment 

of  first 
dividends 


Auspicious 
prospects 


Different 

offices  of 

the  Fire 

Association 


Historic 
surround- 
ings of  the 
Fire 
Association  s 
offices 


Presidents 

of  the  Fire 

Association 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

"It  was  in  this  commendable  spirit  that  the  Delegates  and  companies 
they  represented  united  patiently  for  many  years  until  the  attain- 
ment of  the  entire  capital,  which  being  at  length  secured,  enabled  the 
Trustees  in  the  year  1845  to  make  the  first  dividends,  each  company 
receiving  during  that  period  $150  annually. 

"The  year  1850  opened  with  prospects  quite  as  auspicious  for  the 
Association  as  any  that  preceded  it,  and  so  continued  until  the  dis- 
astrous 9th  of  July,  a  day  ever  to  be  remembered  as  a  day  of  fire, 
which  in  a  few  hours  swept  away  nearly  nine-tenths  of  the  capital, 
the  earnings  of  almost  a  life-time  of  the  Association." 

Shortly  after  its  incorporation  the  Fire  Association  moved  from 
Caleb  Carmalt's  house,  on  Third  and  Tammany  Streets,  to  Arch,  east 
of  Fifth  Street.  Later  the  building  at  the  south-west  corner  of  Fifth 
and  North  Streets  was  purchased.  The  fourth  office  was  at  407  and 
409  Walnut  Street,  which  is  still  owned  by  the  Association,  and  was 
occupied  until  the  present  building  was  erected  at  the  north-west 
corner  of  Fourth  and  Walnut  Streets. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the  business  of  the  Fire  Association 
has  been  carried  on — as  has  underwriting  generally  in  Philadelphia — 
within  a  short  distance  of  where  John  Copson,  America's  first  under- 
writer, began  the  work  of  insurance.  The  five  buildings  which  the 
Fire  Association  has  occupied  are  within  a  few  squares  of  one  another. 
Old  Philadelphia,  in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  word,  surrounds  them. 
From  the  upper  stories  of  the  present  building  of  the  Association  may 
be  seen  the  Delaware  River  and  the  traffic  that  plies  hither  and 
thither  on  this  great  waterway.  Nearby  is  the  Betsy  Ross  house, 
where  the  first  American  flag  was  made.  Around  the  corner  are 
Independence  Square  and  historic  Independence  Hall.  Carpenters' 
Hall,  where  met  the  First  Continental  Congress  and  where  the  Trustees 
of  the  Fire  Association  once  held  their  meetings,  is  less  than  a  square 
away.  Christ  Church,  where  George  Washington  worshipped  and 
where  his  pew  still  awaits  other  worshippers,  is  in  this  vicinity; 
and  Benjamin  Franklin's  grave  is  in  a  nearby  churchyard,  close 
to  a  busy  street.  Old  Blue  Anchor  Tavern,  the  first  tavern  built 
in  the  Quaker  City,  is  near, — in  the  heart  of  the  insurance  district  of 
Philadelphia. 

Elihu  C.  Irvin  is  the  present  chief  executive  of  the  Fire  Association. 
His  predecessors  have  been  Michael  Fox,  elected  president  March  26, 
1824;  William  Wagner,  January  5,  1832;  George  W.  Tryon,  January 
5,  1837;  William  H.  Hamilton,  June  7,  1867;  William  T.  Butler, 
January  19,  1872;  A.  L.  Snowden,  March  17,  1879;  and  Jesse  Light- 
foot,  March  9,  1883.  Mr.  Irvin  was  elected  president  of  the  Fire 
Association,  February  6,  1891.  He  had  previously  served  as  vice- 
president.  One  of  the  finest  tributes  to  Mr.  Irvin's  ability  as  an 
executive  is  the  tablet  placed  on  the  first  floor  of  the  building  of  the 
Fire  Association: — 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


J 


i 


^  I   i 


THIS    BUILDING 

ERECTED    DURING   THE    PRESIDENCY 

OF 

ELIHU  C.   IRVIN 

is  a  tribute  to 

his  ability  and  untiring  devotion 

to  the  interests  of  the 

Fire  Association 

OF   Philadelphia 

1817  1912 

(Seal) 

President 
Elihu  C.  Irvin 

Vice-President 
Theodore  H.  Conderman 

Second  Vice-President 
John  B.  Morton 

Secretary  and  Treasurer 
Marshall  G.  Garrigues 

Assistant  Secretary 
Richard  N.  Kelly,  Jr. 


Directors 
Elihu  C.  Irvin 
Theodore  H.  Conderman 
James  Butterworth 
John  McKinney 
William  L.  Boswell 
Joseph  Nevil,  Jr. 


David  C.  Nimlet 
Robert  Whitaker 
Charles  B.  Adamson 
William  T.  Tilden 
Horace  T.  Potts 
Richard  Campion 


34 


Dimner  Beeber 

Chairman  of  the  Building  Committee 
William  T.  Tilden 

Architect 
Edgar  V.  Seeler 

"For  many  years,"  said  Mr.  Irvin,  "I  planned  to  return  to  Dun-   President 
cannon  where  I  was  born,  and  spend  there  the  last  decade  of  my  life.    Elihu  C. 
Long  ago  that  dream  left  me,  and  I  find  that  my  work,  as  time  goes    Irvin 
swiftly  on,  is  here  in  the  world  of  business,  and  not  over  there  among 
the  sheltered  hills."     At  the  time  when  Mr.  Irvin  was  ready  for  college, 
reverses   in   his   father's   business   necessitated    the   son   becoming   a 
wage-earner.     He  became  a  school  teacher  and  later  was  connected 
with  the  Duncannon  Iron  Company.     In  1870  he  removed  to  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  and  secured  a  position  as  special  agent  in  Pennsylvania  for 
the    Germania    Fire    Insurance    Company   of   New    York.     He    left 
Harrisburg  after  five   years'   experience   as   an   underwriter,   and   in 
1874  he  came  to  Philadelphia  and  took  the  general  agency  of  the 
Phoenix    Fire   Insurance    Company,  of   Hartford.     His    territory   ex- 
tended from  Pennsylvania  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.     Mr.  Irvin  became 

35 


■»< 


1^' 


His  interest 
in  the  Fire 
Association 


Present 
officers  of 
the  Fire 
Association 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

a  permanent  resident  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  1884  he  accepted  the 
vice-presidency  of  the  Fire  Association.     Seven  years  later  he  was 

SafB^itd-^f  ^^Ll:Zrr '"' '"° '--  ^-^''^^"^  °^  ^^« 

The  interests  of  the  Fire  Association  since  the  time  of  Mr.  Irvin's 
connection  with  the  organization  have  been  his  interests.  Year  bv 
year  he  has  worked,  and  carefully  watched  the  increasing  fruits  of 
his  labor  From  less  pretentious  offices  he  has  seen  the  Association 
move  to  larger  ones.  The  present  magnificent  building  was  completed 
m  1^12,  and  appropriately  the  tablet  already  mentioned  was  placed 

Tc^rZ  '\^'-  ''^'"  t"\^"""  ^^^  -^^P'^^'  ^^°=k  increased  from 
»SOO,ooo  to  $1,000,000.  In  his  various  undertakings  for  the  Fire 
Association  not  a  detail  has  escaped  him,  not  an  employee  has  there 
^hTwi'^^^?!?'  ^^  ^-f  "°\had  a  personal  interest.  "^In  response  to 
nifl  n  .h?!f  tK^  president,  there  has  been  recently  formed  the  Centen- 
nial Uub  of  the  Fire  Association  for  the  promotion  of  the  social  welfare 
of  the  employees,  and  the  officers  of  this  club  will  have  the  direction 
ot  various  social  features  during  the  centennial  week 

JrCi  "^""Pf'^^^  '^  u  °f  °ffi<^"s  ^ei-ve  the  Fire  Association  with  Mr. 
Irvin.     Theodore   H.    Conderman,    an    able    financier,    was    elected 

waTe'^e^tl/"  n-  V^'  Association,  April  15,   .891.     Mr.   Conderman 
was  elected  a  D  rector  January  I2,  1878.     He  is  also  Vice-President  of 
the  Union  National  Bank  of  Philadelphia  and  holds  high  rank  °n 
financial  circles.     He  is  the  oldest  in  the  service  of  the  Directors  of 
the   Fire  Association.     John    B.    Morton   was    made    second    vice- 
president,  January  9,  1909.    Mr.  Morton  has  been  connected  with 
th^.      °^'^*'°"i  T  "'°'^  \^.^",  ^°"y-five  years;   first  as  Examiner  and 
of  th.  A        •^?-   ^^•^"'-  n^^  ^^'  ^''"Se  of  the  indirect  Departments 
the  Association,  is  well  known  over  the  entire  country,  and  always 
watchful  for  the  interests  of  the  Association  has  given  valuable  aid 
to  the  president.     Marshall  G.  Garrigues  was  chosen  assistant  secre- 
tary, September  5,  1884,  and  secretary,  July  3,  1902.     Mr  Garrieues 
IS  also  treasurer.     Richard  N   Kelly,  yr."!  wl/'ele'cted  a^i^tant Tre- 
tary,  July  3    1902      Mr.  Kelly  has  been  connected  with  the  Associa- 
tion since  1890.     He  has  had  the  management  of  the  Underwritine 
Department  of  the  Philadelphia  Office,  and  the  fine  class  of  bus  nesf 
and  low  loss  record  testify  to  his  ability.     It  is  an  interesting  fact 

with  ?h"^.U  v1  ""'^  °i-^''^  °^^"'  "=°""^"=  the  Fire  Association 
with  the  old  Volunteer  Fire  Department.  Mr.  Garrigues'  father  and 
grandfather  were  members  of  that  department.     Shortly  after  the 

PhT^IlT-^'^^"  ,^"""f'/^""8"^'  ^^'  appointed  by  the  city  of  . 
Philadelphia  at  a  salary  of  £25  to  see  that  the  fire-books  of  the  citv 
were  kept  in  proper  condition.  Many  of  the  anecdotes  in  these  pages 
have  been  told  by  Mr.  Garrigues,  who  has  been  connected  with  the 
Association  for  forty-eight  years,  and  has  filled  nearly  all  the  posi- 
tions in  the  office  up  to  that  of  Secretary.  He  is  respected  by  every- 
body with  whom  he  comes  in  touch  in  a  business  way,  and  is  an 
efficient  Secretary. 

F]7hl^ r'T""^  ^^u'^A^  Directors  of  the  Fire  Association  consists  of    Directors 
thhu  C.  Irvin,  Theodore  H.    Conderman,  James  Butterworth,  John 

37 


THE     FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 


^ 


w^^ 


y\\\\\\\\\\\^^^\nnn>fffffffff>*tnn*>nrf*ffffff*>ff*rn*}fnf'»n»»f»**t*»>»**i 


THE  DIRECTORS'  ROOM  OF  THE  FIRE  ASSOCIATION 


McKinney,  Robert  Whitaker,  Charles  B.  Adamson,  Horace  T.  Potts, 
Richard  Campion,  Dimner  Beeber,  George  W.  Nevil,  William  A. 
Law,  Edward  J.  Moore,  and  John  Gribbel. 
Depart-  Departments  at  Home  Office  :  New  England  ^  New  York  Depart- 
ments ments  in  charge  of  William  H.  Hellyar,  General  Agent,  401  Walnut 
Street,  Philadelphia.  States:  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont, 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut  and  New  York.  Middle 
Department  in  charge  of  J.  Woods  Brown,  General  Agent,  401  Walnut 
Street,  Philadelphia.  States:  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Delaware, 
Maryland,  District  of  Columbia,  and  West  Virginia.  Managers 
Departments:  Southern  Department:  in  charge  of  William  E. 
Chapin,  Manager,  Equitable  Building,  Atlanta,  Georgia.  Established, 
1900.  States:  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia, 
Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  City  of 
New  Orleans,  La.  Western  Department:  in  charge  of  J.  W.  Cochran, 
Manager,  Insurance  Exchange  Building,  Chicago,  Illinois.  Estab- 
lished, 1872.  States:  Colorado,  Idaho,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Kansas, 
Michigan,  Minnesota,  Missouri,  Montana,  Nebraska,  North  Dakota, 
South  Dakota,  Wisconsin,  and  Wyoming.  Southwestern  Department: 
in  charge  of  Trezevant  &  Cochran,  General  Agents,  Dallas,  Texas. 
Established,  1876.  States:  Arkansas,  Louisiana  (except  New  Orleans), 
New  Mexico,  Oklahoma,  Texas.  Pacific  Department:  in  charge  of 
Frank  M.  Avery,  Manager,  242-244  Sansome  Street,  San  Francisco, 
California.     Established,  1882.     States:  Arizona,  California,  Nevada, 

38 


--« 


X 


THE    FIRE    ASSOCIATION    OF    PHILADELPHIA 

Oregon,    Utah,    Washington,    Alberta,    British    Columbia,    Alaska, 
liawan.  * 

All  of  the   Managers   of  these   departments   have   been   officially 
connected  with  the  Association  for  many  years. 

The  financial  history  of  the  Fire  Association  since  1881    may  be  Financial 
briefly  traced  m  the  followmg  tabulation:—  History 

gg           *                                          ^J/^"//  Reserves  Net  Surplus 

VZ] ^4,339,231  $2,622,469  ^22,037 

?^ |'°67,852  3,269,480  910,384 

^ ^'3^5,2x6  4,888,870  550,133 

^,6 8,989,220  5,349,375  2,505,362 

'9^^ 10,109,526  7,528,644  2,580,882 

Since  Dec.  31,  1916,  the  capital  and  surplus  have  been  increased 

^i,250,ocx),  and  the  condition  of  the  Association  on  June  ^o    1017 

was  approximately  as  follows:  j   ^     y  /y 

Assets 

Real  Estate $668,000.00 

Mortgage  Loans 2,298,958.66 

•    S°"''"'"^/oans S7MO.OO 

Bonds  and  Stocks 5,420  842  co 

Cash  on  Hand  and  in  Bank,  Agents'  Balances  .    *.  iic2i'7C2  ;q 

Interest  Due  and  Accrued      .    .- I42!322.i9 

^°^^'       $10,109,525.94 

.                                          Liabilities 
Capital  Stock rf-^n  nc^  r^ 

TT-JT  ^750,000.00 

Unpaid  Losses j. .-  jg_  ^ 

Reinsurance  Reserve .' 6  ilfi  87(1^ 

Other  Liabilities tAllA 

NetSurplus \    '.   \\.    .    [  2,58o;l82:33 

c    7°^f ^  ■  v  ;  ■, , $10,109,525.94 

Surplus  to  policy  holders, 
$3,330,882.33 

After  the  issue  of  new  capital  the  gross  assets  July  i,  1917,  aeRreeate 
over  $11,100000;  the  net  surplus,  over  $3,580,000;  and  the  surplus 
to  policy  holders,  over  $4,580,000. 

A  large  increase  over  the  resources  in  previous  years  was  shown  Increase  in 
at  the  close  of  1916.  The  activities  of  the  Fire  Association  were  resources 
extended  when  provisions  were  made  in  the  charter  for  transacting 
inland  and  ocean  marine  and  automobile  insurance.  The  dividend 
requirements  are  amply  met  by  the  Association,  its  investments  are 
well  selected,  and  the  competency  of  the  management  is  shown  both 
in  business  details  and  in  the  larger  transactions  of  the  Fire  Association 
as  American  underwriters.  Western,  Southern,  Southwestern,  and 
l^acihc  Coast  Departments  are  maintained  by  the  Fire  Association. 

In  cone  usion  the  Historian  wishes  to  say  that  in  all  intercourse 
with  the  clerical  force  they  were  always  courteous,  and  not  only  will- 
ing, but  anxious  to  give  their  best  efforts  for  the  advancement  of  the 
interests  of  the  Fire  Association. 

39 


0041432452 


Date  Due 


m€ 


(|) 


D986 


F516 


D986  p5]^g 

Fire  association  of  Philadelphia. 

The  Fire   association  of  Phila- 
delphia. 


flf)$H    Ob'Sl^ 


.^EH 


^Hl'i 


1995 


JAN  1  4  .1955 


t 


MR  V5 1911 


""¥■ 


END  OF 
TITLE 


